A growing chorus of concern is emerging from within the ranks of the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) , specifically among soldiers who have been deployed to Forward Operating Bases (FOBs) such as Kolbiow and Sarira along the Somali border.
These soldiers, though not operating under the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS, formerly AMISOM), have for years carried out high-risk assignments under extreme conditions. A wave of frustration is rising within the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) as frontline troops deployed to high-risk Forward Operating Bases allege that their critical Role Allowance meant to compensate for harsh conditions and combat exposure has been silently withdrawn under a questionable directive.
As such, they were reportedly entitled to a designated operational compensation commonly referred to as the KDF Role Allowance, a critical financial lifeline recognizing the unique demands and dangers of their deployment.
However, troubling reports now suggest that this allowance was recently discontinued following an internal directive, despite no public communication or proper explanation being provided to the troops.
Compounding this concern is the allegation that funds allocated for these allowances may now be circulating elsewhere within the military command, raising serious questions of misappropriation.
In what appears to have been a policy shift initiated at headquarters level, soldiers previously stationed at Sarira (including those from 3 KR units) have been informed, retroactively in some cases, that entitlement to this operational support had ceased as early as mid-February.
The decision, reportedly pegged on an administrative interpretation that Sarira lies within the same operational category as other domestic FOBs such as Sinai, has sparked outrage among affected personnel, who argue that the operational realities and exposure to conflict in these stations remain vastly different.
The silence surrounding this issue has only intensified suspicions, with allegations pointing to systemic opacity and a troubling lack of accountability.
Over the years, these particular FOBs have been among the most volatile and high-risk stations in the region, having witnessed numerous fatal engagements with insurgent groups.
According to sources, last year alone, several soldiers are said to have lost their lives in the line of duty in these very zones, deaths that have reportedly gone largely unacknowledged by the military command.
Despite the sacrifices made on the frontlines, the perception among the affected soldiers is that their welfare continues to be neglected, and the very allowances meant to support them are being siphoned elsewhere. "Hello Cyprian and thanks for the good work you are doing. Kindly hide my ID and help me expose the corruption in the Kenya Defence Forces in connection with the Kasongo government. KDF soldiers deployed in Somalia i.e. Kolbiyow and Sarira FOBs who are not under AMISOM were entitled to get KDF ROLE ALLOWANCE which has now ceased and is being pocketed by some senior members of the force. Hundreds of soldiers have lost their lives on the above-mentioned FOBs in the past years including last year being the most recent, and the system is not remorseful on the same. Attached below is the letter evidence from the Defence Headquarters." The claims are accompanied by what appears to be an internal communication attributed to Defence Headquarters. Internal KDF letter dated February 2025 from Defence Headquarters, rejecting a request to reinstate Role Allowance for personnel deployed at Sarira FOB, and confirming the cessation of such allowances for troops operating within Kenya’s borders.
The document is currently being circulated among concerned personnel as indicative of a quiet and unconsulted shift in policy, reinforcing long-held fears about how decisions around operational entitlements are made and who ultimately benefits from their suspension.