We will ensure welfare of KDF soldiers – President Kenyatta

President Uhuru Kenyatta has highlighted the need to look after the welfare of Kenya Defence Forces’ soldiers who stand to defend the country.

The president acknowledged the challenges that the forces face in protecting the country adding that the government will increase its support for Kenya’s military.

“You stand in the frontline in defending our country and we equally have a responsibility to ensure we do everything in our power to enable, to facilitate and secure the welfare of those who put their lives in harm’s way for the defence of all of us,” the President said.

While congratulating the new Navy Commander Maj-Gen Levi Franklin Mghalu after his swearing-in, Kenyatta appreciated the sacrifice that the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) have been making for the country.

He said that the military is engaged in a wide range of security operations in Somalia not only to stabilize the war-tone country but also to safeguard the security of Kenyans.

“The challenge is not only to our brothers and sisters in Somalia. We know that the threat of those few elements who are intent on causing disruption and chaos in Somalia are also hell-bent on passing the problem into our own border,” he said.

Kenyatta commended the former Navy Commander Maj-Gen Ngewa Mukala, who is now the Commander of the Defence Staff College at Karen in Nairobi saying he served the navy with honour.

He wished Maj-Gen Mukala success in his new role of training future KDF officers.

The president was speaking after he witnessed the swearing-in of the new Kenya Navy Commander, Maj-Gen Levi Franklin Mghalu, in a ceremony conducted by the Chief of Staff and Head of Public Service Joseph Kinyua at State House in Nairobi.

Leaders present at the swearing-in were Cabinet Secretaries Amina Mohamed (Foreign Affairs and International Trade), Raychelle Omamo (Defence) and Chief of Defence Forces Gen Samson Mwathethe among other KDF senior officers.