Days after over 50 people were killed at a funeral in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), the Kenya Defence Forces serving under the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission, took part in a patrol aimed at protecting civilians.

In a statement on Saturday, September 13, 2025, KDF confirmed the operation where Kenyan troops surveilled the Ituri Province, eastern DRC.

“Working hand in hand with troops drawn from the Indonesia Rapid Deployment Battalion and the Battalion of the Republic of South Africa (RSABATT) the peacekeepers have intensified joint area domination patrols in the areas of Komanda, Ngeleza, Bandiamosi, Bamande and Irumu Villages, among other villages in the area of operation,” KDF statement read in part.

Disrupt rebel forces

According to KDF, the operation was aimed at disrupting and neutralising negative forces in the region.

Speaking after the operation, the KENQRF Commander, Lieutenant Colonel Simon Seda, lauded the ongoing operation as a success.

“Since the operation began a few weeks ago, the security situation in the area has significantly improved. Feedback from local elders, women, and youth indicates that the community feels safer and is now able to sleep peacefully, thanks to the ongoing patrols that we jointly conduct round the clock,” he stated.

He further pointed out that the troops are engaged in key leadership engagement and assorted civil.

Funeral attack

The patrol came days after over 50 people were hacked with machetes in the nighttime assault on a village in North Kivu province.

The Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) was linked with the attack, raising fears that its insurgency is growing in strength.

The ADF emerged in Uganda in the 1990s, accusing the government there of persecuting Muslims. It is now based across the border in DR Congo and carries out attacks in both countries.