UNSUNG HERO’S KENYA DEFENCE FORCE IN INFRASTRUCTURE DEVELOPMENT

UNSUNG HERO’S KENYA DEFENCE FORCE IN INFRASTRUCTURE DEVELOPMENT

By Allan Chesang (African Times Guest Writer)

Kenya Defence force White Paper shapes the

National Economic Development Activities

which the military can take part.

These include construction of buildings, roads,

bridges, dams, drilling of boreholes, and

supporting medical facilities.

The Kenya Defence Force White Paper outlines

the abilities of the Kenya Defence Forces which

can be utilised towards economic development.

Also include Maritime resources, Medical, Air

Transport and Kenya Army Corps of Engineers

who work to improve social infrastructure.

The Kenyan Head of State and Commander in

chief, His Excellency President Uhuru Muigai

Kenyatta, praised the Kenya Defence Force

(KDF) for its role in the rekindling of major

infrastructure projects in Kenya.

“We also recognize the contribution that our

Defence Forces continue to make to our country

as a whole, especially in utilizing their skills and

assets to spearhead selected strategic

development projects,” the president said.

One of these projects, is the rehabilitation of

key railway lines in the country. The KDF took

part in the restoration of the Nairobi to Nanyuki

railway line, and are currently working on the

Nakuru to Kisumu railway line.

The KDF also partook in the rebirth of the

Kisumu Port that is set to jump start the lake

region economy.

Furthermore, the military has contributed to

regional and national security in the fight

against internal and external Global terrorism.

The Kenyan commander in chief noted with

pleasure that more women have joined the KDF.

“It is important for these young women,

working alongside men, to find meaning and

purpose in their work.

When these young men and women joined the

Kenya Defence Forces, from all parts of this

great nation, they became one cohesive family,”

he said.

It is indeed a commendable effort in availing

equal employment opportunities to all Kenyans.

Moreover, the Kenya Defence Force in liaison

with the Lions Club of Nyandarua Central,

drilled and equipped a borehole, which will

benefit over 600 households in Karima village

and Kaimbaga health centre.

Kaimbaga health centre serves a minimum 150

patients daily. The borehole can yield 12,000

litres of water per hour.

The Kenya Defence Force as well assisted

residents of Thika town to access clean water.

The soldiers from the 12 Engineers Battalion

drilled a 130m-deep borehole in Gatundu.

The borehole serves Gatundu and Magana

Happy Valley estates.

It produces 12,000 litres of water every hour,

with a projected 150,000 litres daily. 

The KDF keep shining at regional, continental

and Global levels, making the country proud.

“The continuous participation of our military in

these missions reflects the confidence that the

international community, through the United

Nations and the Security Council, in particular,

has in our Nation’s Defence Forces.

This, indeed, is a true testimony of the high

standards of our military training and

professionalism,” said the Kenyan Head of State

And Chief Commander his Excellency President

Uhuru Muigai Kenyatta.

(Allan Chesang is a Commentator on socio-

political Issues and the Founder of Allan

Chesang Foundation)