KDF DELIVERS COVID-19 VACCINES FOR TROOPS IN SOMALIA

DHOBLEY, 27th March 2021 – Director of Medical Services of the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) Major General (Dr) George Ng’ang’a launched the Covid-19 vaccination exercise for troops deployed under the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) at Sector II Headquarters in Dhobley. This is part of the ongoing Phase 1 of the National Immunisation Programme in the fight against Covid-19.

Speaking during the launch of the exercise, Major General (Maj Gen) (Dr) Ng’ang’a urged all the personnel to take part in the immunisation exercise in order to boost the efforts of fighting the pandemic and at the same time have a healthy force, which is critical to serving the nation.

“Let us all embrace prevention mechanisms rather than opting for the curative ones. The KDF leadership has led by example by participating in the vaccination drive and we have not recorded any side effects therefore I assure our troops that the vaccine is safe,” said Maj Gen (Dr) Ng’ang’a.

Maj Gen (Dr) Ng’ang’a further urged the troops to continue observing the World Health Organisation protocols on the containment of the spread of Covid-19.

“We must not drop our guard. We must stick to the protocols issued on containing the spread of the virus – ensuring we maintain social distance, wearing masks, washing and sanitising our hands. That will keep us safe,” said Maj Gen (Dr) Ng’ang’a.

After the launch of the exercise, Sector II Commander Brigadier Jeff Nyaga kicked off the vaccination drive for KDF troops deployed under AMISOM by rolling up his sleeve and becoming the first person to be inoculated.

The Deputy Sector II Commander Colonel Pascal Kitiro was the second person to be vaccinated, followed by senior officers, officers and service members based at Dhobley.

Other than the troops, the civilians working for the United Nations based at the Sector II Headquarters were also inoculated.