by Jeremiah Kiplang’at

Thousands of former members of the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) who are struggling to make ends meet after leaving service will soon get a fresh lease of life if a bill before Parliament becomes law.

 Most of the ex-servicemen and officers often go through torrid times reintegrating into society after years service, some returning home with long-term physical and mental injuries.

For years, the government has come under scrutiny for failing to cater for the needs of its military veterans despite giving up civilian lives to fight the country’s external enemies.

However, attempts in the past to put in place a mechanism to ensure better lives for them have not borne fruit.  

The Military Veterans Bill, 2022 sponsored by National Assembly Majority Leader Amos Kimunya, which is set for introduction in the House, seeks to help the veterans enjoy a dignified life after dedicating their lives in serving the nation.

 It also aims to protect their dependants from the troubles that might befall them in case those they are depending on lose their lives in the line of duty or after retirement. 

 “Policies regarding military veterans shall be aimed at ensuring the smooth and seamless transition of military veterans from military service to civilian life,” says the proposed law.

 To achieve this, the law establishes the Dependents’ Education Fund, the Defence Forces Retirement Home that will be the key planks to realise the bill’s objectives.

The Fund will be used to pay school fees for the veterans’ children as per their needs after assessment by the Defence Council.

 “The Defence Council shall establish a fund to be known as the Dependents’ Education Fund to provide scholarships for the education of the children of members of the Kenya Defence Forces and military veterans and deceased members of KDF or deceased military veterans,” says the bill.

Defence Council

The Defence Council, which consists of the Defence Cabinet Secretary, who is the chairperson, the Chief of the Kenya Defence Forces, the Air Force, Navy and Army commanders and the Defence Principal Secretary, will be overall decision maker.

There will also be a Director of Military Veterans who shall be appointed by the Defence Council. 

The occupant of the office will serve under the Chief of Defence Forces and will be responsible for administrative duties on the Fund and the Home. The bill also establishes the Defence Forces Retirement Home. Serving members will be expected to contribute towards the establishment of the Home and maintenance.

The Council will also be the only body tasked with determining who to be accommodated at the Home, the services to be provided and the contributions to be made.

“The Defence Council shall, subject to any regulations that may be prescribed in this regard, facilitate the provisions of benefits under this section to military veterans and their dependents through the Ministry responsible for matters relating to military veterans, any other government ministry, department or agency or a private entity,” the bill indicates.

A number of the retired servicemen have been reported to have suffered physical and mental trauma linked to the tough conditions they face in the course duty attracting concerns over lack of a comprehensive legal framework catering for their special needs after retiring. The bill seeks to cure this at the same time improving the quality of life of military veterans and their dependents. The proposed law will cover all those who retired after serving in the Kenya Defence Forces and the precursor, the pre-colonial unit named Kenya African Rifles. Anyone discharged from the service because of medical grounds will also be considered a veteran and will get the benefits as indicated in the bill.