Kenya has started implementation of its decision to withdraw its peacekeeping forces from South Sudan.
One hundred Kenya Defense Forces, KDF, soldiers, who were based in Wau, arrived in Nairobi, on Wednesday.
The soldiers arrived at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport this afternoon aboard an Ocean Airlines plane and 100 more are expected later today, according to the Daily Nation website.
This is part of the neighboring country’s reaction to the recent dismissal of its national who served as the force commander of the UN peacekeeping mission in South Sudan.
Lt Gen. Johnson Mogoa Kimani Ondieki was sacked after a UN special investigation confirmed that the mission failed to protect civilians during the violence in Juba in July.
The UN Mission in South Sudan has confirmed the departure of the peacekeepers.
“The Mission is aware that Kenya has begun the process of repatriating some of their troops currently based in Wau,” UNMISS acting spokesperson Shantel Persaud told Eye Radio via email.
There are approximately 1,000 Kenyan troops in South Sudan.
“The Mission wishes to advise that it is taking necessary contingency measures, in coordination with UN Headquarters, to ensure the continued fulfillment of its mandate, within its capacities,” Ms Persaud added.