Retired soldiers deserve decent life, government told

The wife of an ex-KDF soldier receives food donations from the Kenya Veterans for Peace, an umbrella body that takes care of retired soldiers. [Courtesy]

Retired Kenya Defence Forces officers have urged the government to ensure ex-soldiers live a decent life.

Under the umbrella of Kenya Veterans for Peace, the retired soldiers said the disciplined men and women should not be forgotten for serving the country diligently.

Speaking when they visited the retired KDF soldiers in Machakos, the umbrella's Chief Executive Director Dr Nelson Sechere said government should come up with mechanisms to ensure the welfare of the retirees is well catered for.

Secechere in the company of other ex-soldiers were in Machakos where they extended a helping hand to their fellow retirees and families of officers who died in the line of duty.

They distributed assorted food items including rice, sugar and cooking oil to the families to cushion them during the current hard economic times.

The director said they are seeking more partnerships to make the programme sustainable to avoid the retirees over-relaying on government stipend which is not sufficient.

Sechere said they are targeting all the regions across the country where in addition to food items, they will drill about 307 boreholes in partnership with their Chinese friends.

The wife of an ex-KDF soldier receives food donations from the Kenya Veterans for Peace, an umbrella body that takes care of retired soldiers. [Courtesy]

According to him, the boreholes will not only increase accessibility to water but also play a key role in ensuring the country is food secure.

His sentiments were echoed by the chairman James Muruiki who said the program purely targets retired soldiers and families of those who died in the line of duty and cannot fend for themselves.

"We are appealing to all veterans from wherever you, please come out, let us support one another and our country at large when called upon," said Muriuki.

Retired Lieutenant Colonel Moses Sande, a beneficiary of the food program said they formed the organisation after the 2008 post-election violence to advocate for peace among different communities.