Injured heroes to get Sh700m recovery centre
The Kenya Defence Forces is constructing a multi-million-shilling rehabilitation centre to cater for soldiers injured while on duty and those suffering from post-traumatic stress disorders.
The Sh700 million facility is expected to be complete by February next year. Currently, the military out sources such services while some soldiers are treated at the Defence Forces Memorial Hospital.
Defence Cabinet Secretary Raychelle Omamo yesterday said welfare of soldiers was key and the construction of the centre was part of a scheme to cater for and remember injured and fallen officers.
She spoke during the KDF Day held at the Langata Barracks. The day is marked yearly with this year’s focus being the welfare of officers.
“Welfare is about dignity of the person, understanding that each soldier is human,” said Omamo.
Chief of Defence Forces Samson Mwathethe said KDF had developed comprehensive welfare programmes to support the injured and the families of soldiers, who lose their lives in line of duty.
KDF has a Defence Forces Insurance Scheme (Defmis), and Defence Forces Comrades Association (Defoca), among other initiatives.
Replace scheme
The scheme has replaced the group life insurance scheme which was from 1983 administered by commercial insurance companies. KDF said the previous arrangement had challenges that included threat to information security.
During the event, Omamo unveiled a monument with inscribed names of fallen soldiers.
The function was attended by Defence PS Major General (Rtd) Gordon Kihalangwa, the Inspector General of Police Hillary Mutyambai, among other senior security officials.
