Kenya has raised serious concerns about the shrinking financial support for international peacekeeping missions, saying the situation could threaten both regional and global stability efforts. The warning came from Major General Mohamed Hassan, the Deputy Commander of the Kenya Army, who represented the country at the 2025 United Nations Troop Contributing Countries Army Chiefs Conclave held in New Delhi, India.
During his remarks, Major General Hassan highlighted the growing struggle faced by countries that contribute troops to peacekeeping missions amid reduced funding. He said that Kenya, which has a long history of participating in international peace operations, has witnessed how limited resources can affect the success and sustainability of these missions. According to him, the ability of peacekeepers to maintain stability and protect civilians often depends on the consistent availability of logistical and financial support, which has been dwindling in recent years.
He reaffirmed Kenya’s strong commitment to promoting peace and stability across Africa and beyond but cautioned that the current financial situation calls for serious reforms. Major General Hassan explained that peacekeeping must evolve to meet modern security challenges, emphasizing that the missions should focus on building strong partnerships, improving coordination, and securing sufficient funding to support troops in the field. He particularly pointed to the ongoing African Union Support and Stabilisation Mission (AUSSOM), noting that financial shortfalls have disrupted operations and weakened the mission’s ability to consolidate security gains.
Reflecting on Kenya’s role in regional peace efforts, Major General Hassan reminded delegates that the country has been actively involved in peacekeeping for over a decade. Kenya first deployed about 3,000 soldiers to Somalia in 2011 under Operation Linda Nchi, following parliamentary approval during President Mwai Kibaki’s administration.
The mission later evolved into the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) and was restructured as the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS) in April 2022. This transition was designed to gradually hand over security responsibilities to Somali forces, marking a major shift in how peacekeeping operations are managed on the continent.
The New Delhi meeting brought together military chiefs and defence officials from around the world to discuss ways of improving peacekeeping operations through technology, interoperability, and stronger global partnerships. The delegates explored innovative methods to make missions more effective, particularly in addressing emerging threats such as terrorism, cyber warfare, and complex humanitarian crises.
On the sidelines of the event, the Kenyan delegation held bilateral discussions with officials from the Indian Army to explore new areas of defence cooperation. In addition, Major General Charles Mwazighe, Director of the International Peace Support Training Centre, signed an agreement with India’s Centre for United Nations Peacekeeping. The partnership aims to enhance training, foster knowledge exchange, and promote joint initiatives between the two institutions.
Through these engagements, Kenya reaffirmed its continued dedication to global peace efforts while urging the international community to provide stronger and more predictable funding. Major General Hassan’s message underscored that sustaining peace is not just about deploying troops, but about investing in the systems and resources that allow peacekeeping missions to thrive and deliver lasting stability.
