Reimbursements to Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) soldiers in Somalia has been chopped by 66 percent or Ksh4.9 billion in the new fiscal year starting July 1, 2021. The cut is in line with the United Nation-backed exit from Somalia that is drawing nearer.
The National Treasury tabled a report before Parliament indicating that the European Union and its partners will refund Ksh2.5 billion for the upcoming financial year, compared to Ksh7.4 billion for the 2020/21 fiscal year ending June 30.
This has been attributed to African Union Mission in Somalia (Amisom)'s planned handover to the government of Somalia in December this year.
Grants to Kenya are normally remitted through the African Union Peace Facility. KDF soldiers deployed in Somalia usually serve for 1 year and may be extended for a few months depending on the situation.
According to prior conservative estimates, soldiers in Somalia are paid $1,028 (Ksh112,052) each per month.
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The soldiers are then each deducted $200 (Ksh21,800) each by their respective governments as administrative costs, therefore, the soldiers take home Ksh87,200 ($800) per month, per soldier.
The reimbursements by the EU are used to cater for Amisom soldiers and police allowances, international and local civilian staff salaries and office operational costs. The United Nations Support Office in Somalia (UNSOS) offers logistical field support for the Amisom troops and Somalia National Forces in the joint operation.
The funds remitted to Kenya have been declining due to Nairobi's gradual cutbacks on the number of soldiers it has been deploying to Somalia.
