Kenyan troops under MONUSCO donated three kitchen units to widows and orphans in Beni, North Kivu.
Kenyan peacekeepers in the Democratic Republic of Congo have stepped in to support families affected by regional violence. Soldiers from the Kenyan Quick Reaction Force (KENQRF 4), operating under the UN peacekeeping mission MONUSCO, handed over three semi-permanent kitchens to a group of widows and orphans living at Beni Cathedral in North Kivu.
These kitchens, built and financed by the Kenyan team, will now help provide daily meals for seven widows and 36 orphans who were forced to flee their homes due to conflict in North Kivu and Ituri Provinces. The kind gesture has touched many lives and brought renewed hope to struggling families.
The event was hosted at the Anglican Church of Beni Cathedral and was led by Bishop Cyrille Kambale Tavurima, who praised the donation as a strong show of unity and compassion from the Kenyan troops.
“We thank MONUSCO and the Kenyan soldiers for standing with us. Feeding these families has been a major challenge since they arrived two years ago,” said the bishop, urging ongoing help for the affected families.
Peacekeepers Promote Hope Amid Insecurity
Lieutenant Colonel Simon Seda, leading the KENQRF unit, stressed the importance of supporting people in need, especially during uncertain times. He said that while these families have experienced great loss, they still have love — and they are not alone.
“They may have lost relatives, but they haven’t lost hope. We are here as their family, ready to walk with them in peace and dignity,” Seda added, also reaffirming MONUSCO’s mission to protect civilians.
Major Reuben Kyambo, who heads the Community Engagement Team, said that helping the public during hardship shows the human side of the military and reminds everyone that kindness survives, even in conflict.
Speaking for the widows and orphans, Maman Anne Kalivanda thanked the soldiers and asked for more help, especially in vocational skills like tailoring and cooking, so that they can become self-reliant.
Reverend Corporal Thomas Mwangi, who serves at the church, called for deeper cooperation between religious institutions and the peacekeeping mission to continue uplifting the community.
