How Kenyan soldiers are balancing security and Ebola response in DR Congo

Kenyan peacekeepers deployed in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo have continued with security operations despite an Ebola outbreak in the region, combining military operations with strict public health measures to protect both civilians and troops.

In a statement, the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) said the Kenya 5th Quick Reaction Force (KENQRF 5) has maintained its peacekeeping mission in the affected areas of Beni, demonstrating that modern peace support operations extend beyond conventional military duties.

Operating in the strategically important localities of Mbau, Mandumbi and Oicha, the Kenyan contingent has sustained uninterrupted operations despite heightened health risks.

According to KDF, the troops continue to conduct day and night patrols along the Beni-Mavivi-Mbau-Oicha corridor, denying the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) and other armed groups the opportunity to exploit the health crisis or regain freedom of movement.

Rather than scaling down operations because of the Ebola outbreak, the contingent has adapted its operational methods to ensure security missions continue while safeguarding both personnel and local communities from the spread of the disease.

“The peacekeepers have successfully integrated stringent Ebola prevention measures into routine tactical operations. Masks, gloves and regular hand hygiene have become standard alongside helmets, body armour and other operational equipment,” KDF said.

The military said patrol bases have been equipped with handwashing facilities, while vehicles and operational equipment are disinfected after every mission to ensure force protection and public health objectives are achieved simultaneously.

Beyond protecting troops, KDF noted that the visible health precautions have helped build confidence among local communities and encouraged residents to adopt preventive measures against Ebola.

The military added that the continued interaction between peacekeepers and civilians has strengthened trust, enabling residents to provide timely intelligence that has helped disrupt the activities of armed groups operating in the region.

KDF further said the Kenyan contingent has deliberately maintained its presence in communities most affected by the outbreak to prevent armed groups from taking advantage of weakened security conditions.

According to the military, the force’s ability to address both security threats and public health challenges has helped preserve relative calm along the Beni-Mavivi-Mbau-Oicha corridor.

“Every patrol reinforces the confidence of local communities while demonstrating that security and humanitarian responsibility are inseparable in contemporary peacekeeping operations,” KDF said.

The military said the mission of KENQRF 5 remains unchanged despite the evolving challenges posed by the Ebola outbreak.

“For KENQRF 5, the mission remains unchanged despite the evolving challenges. Their masks may soften their voices, but they do not diminish their determination. In a region where violence and disease have both tested the resilience of communities, Kenya’s peacekeepers continue to stand watch, reaffirming that lasting peace is secured not only through strength of arms but also through steadfast service, discipline and compassion,” the statement added.

The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) is currently battling its 17th Ebola outbreak, centered primarily in the northeastern provinces of Ituri, Nord-Kivu, and Sud-Kivu.

Declared in May, this rapidly evolving crisis is caused by the rare Bundibugyo virus.

There have been 291 confirmed deaths out of 1118 confirmed cases.