President Uhuru Kenyatta has maintained that Kenya has no other option other than withdrawing its Kenya defence Forces (KDF) from South Sudan.
However, the President on Thursday insisted that Kenya would rescind her decision if only its underlying concerns are addressed.
Kenyatta was speeking at the cadet pass out parade in Lanet, President Kenyatta emphasized that the dignity of the country and her contingent would not be traded in the quest for peace and stability of her neighbours.
“Our men served with honour with valour and with complete professionalism, and let it not be forgotten that some lost their lives in these missions,” said President Kenyatta.
Commander replacement
The Kenyan commander of the United Nations peacekeeping force in South Sudan is now “on leave,” and a Chinese military officer has been named acting commander, a UN spokesman has said.
UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon had called on Tuesday for the sacking of Lt-Gen Johnson Mogoa Kimani Ondieki of Kenya following the release of an investigative report.
It documented failures at the top of the UN Mission in South Sudan (Unmiss) in responding to attacks in July on its headquarters and on civilian compounds in Juba.
Lt-Gen Ondieki has been replaced on an acting basis by Maj-Gen Chaoying Yang, the Unmiss deputy commander, UN spokesman Stephen Dujarric said.