Kenya supports East African Standby Force, says Defence Cabinet Secretary Raychelle Omamo

Cabinet Secretary Defence Rachael Omamo makes her keynote address on Security challenges when she officially graced the International Day of peace [ PHOTO: MOSES OMUSULA/STANDARD]

The Government will continue supporting the East African Standby Force (EASF) in its peace keeping efforts in the region, Defence Cabinet Secretary Raychelle Omamo has said.

Omamo said Kenya, which hosts the secretariat of the multi-disciplinary force, will support EASF because it is keen on ensuring there is peace and security in East Africa.

Ms Omamo, who spoke yesterday during the  commemoration of The International Day of Peace at a Nairobi hotel, affirmed that the country is committed to be an active player in Africa’s peace agenda.

“As a country we fully support EASF. We shall continue supporting the standby force as it tackles the security challenges confronting the region,” Omamo said.

Apart from Kenya, EASF has nine other member states namely Burundi, Comoros, Djibouti, Ethiopia, Sudan, Seychelles, Rwanda Uganda, and Somalia. Each is supposed to contribute an agreed number of personnel to the force.

Omamo pointed out Kenya has been a key player in supporting peace operations.

“We have been involved in Somalia and other peace-keeping missions in the continent such as Darfur and South Sudan outside the regional standby force,” she explained.

The force is among the five continental African and multi-disciplinary Standby Forces which draws its membership not only from the  military and  police, but also from civilians. EASF is among the five African standby forces that act under the direction of the African Union AU.