A Kenyan soldier attached to the East African force in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo has been killed following clashes with rebels.

The soldier had died on Tuesday during fighting between the regional forces and M23 rebels in the Kibumba area, THE BBC cited DR Congo spokesman Patrick Muyaya as saying.

There was no immediate comment from the Kenyan authorities.

It is the first death reported among the Kenyan troops since they joined the force last year.

A statement from the DR Congo army condemned the killing, blaming it on the M23.

It said the rebels fired a mortar targeting positions of the East African Community Regional Force (EACRF).

Sources have denied initial reports the Kenyan soldier was killed in an ambush, saying he was killed by a stray mortar bomb.

The DR Congo army said the attack was aimed at “creating a misunderstanding” between it and the EACRF.

The M23 rebels did not immediately react to the accusation but have issued a statement accusing government forces of breaking the ceasefire.

Fighting has resumed recently between the M23 rebels and a pro-government self-defense militia known as Wazalendo in parts of North Kivu province.

The regional force has faced heavy criticism from DR Congo for failing to stop the violence.

DR Congo has said it will not be renewing the EACRF mandate, due to end in December.

Kenya has contributed more than 1,000 soldiers to the mission, which also includes troops from Uganda, South Sudan, and Burundi.