Military veterans, many of whom have suffered neglect, could soon have their plight addressed, following the inauguration of the Advisory Committee on Military Veterans.
Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) General Francis Ogolla and Defence Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale on Wednesday presided over the launch of the 10-member committee tasked with advising the Defence Council on policy matters relating to ex-soldiers.
The Maj Gen (Rtd) Lucas Tumbo-chaired committee will also conduct research as well as make recommendations on matters relating to the welfare of Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) veterans and their dependents.
Among the issues the committee that comprises former soldiers will seek to find solutions include addressing socio-economic and medical issues that have affected military personnel and their families, many of which persist well into their retirement.
Committee members include Brig (Rtd) Isaac Njoroge, Col (Rtd) Hosea Oduor, Lt Col (Rtd) Daniel Marete, Lt Col (Rtd) Esther Njombo, Captain (Rtd) Nelson Oditypo, Warrant Officer (WO) I (Rtd) Ashford Ndubi, WO II (Rtd) Rebecca Cheserem, Sergeant (Rtd) Rehema Said and WO I (Rtd) Joseph Kithome Muindi.
Duale challenged the committee to expedite research on issues military veterans face and give recommendations to the Defence Council, which the CS chairs, that will help uplift the lives of former service personnel.
"KDF personnel put their lives on the line to the defence of the nation, yet these gallant sons and daughters of the republic have been disappearing into oblivion in the past due to a lack of structures that could comprehensively cater to all the welfare needs of all the retired KDF personnel," the CS said urging the committee members to set high standards during their three-year term.
"Their social status and ability to foot their medical bills remain a challenge in today's environment that presents volatilities uncertainties, complexities and ambiguities that are likely to undermine the respect of the fast-growing population of heroes and heroines," he said of the challenges veterans have encountered despite the government's intervention.
Gen Ogolla termed the launch of the advisory committee a "milestone" in efforts to ensure that former soldiers find a channel through which their challenges can be addressed.
"The history of retired KDF personnel trying to find a vehicle through which they can address their social and economic challenges is as old as the KDF itself," the CDF said, adding that the emergency security threats have led to the long-term deployment of KDF troops, which has taken a toll on their well-being.
"The prolonged operations have led to the emergence of various social challenges amongst the personnel and among their families. They include post-traumatic stress disorder, physical and mental disabilities, family wrangles...," Gen Ogolla added.
He regretted that the challenges have followed the soldiers into retirement and tasked the committee to find lasting solutions.
The advisory committee, gazetted last month, is a creation of the Military Veterans Act, 2022, passed by Parliament last year after previous futile attempts.
The Act set out a legal framework for the implementation of welfare interventions for former soldiers, some of whom were maimed or killed on the battlefield.
Families of veterans have previously faced alleged neglect, with many having to endure the lengthy processes of accessing compensation for their kin's demise.
The Veterans Act guarantees benefits to families of ex-soldiers, such as access to scholarships through the Dependent's Fund.