UN to Posthumously Honour Two Kenyan Peacekeepers Killed in Line of Duty as Guterres Pays Tribute
The United Nations (UN) is set to posthumously honour two Kenyan peacekeepers who made the ultimate sacrifice while serving in some of the world’s most dangerous conflict zones, as the international community commemorates the International Day of United Nations Peacekeepers.
Major Paul Ndungu Njoroge and Ms Alice Wanjiru Chege will be awarded the prestigious Dag Hammarskjöld Medal, the UN’s highest posthumous honour for military, police and civilian personnel who lose their lives while serving under the UN flag.
According to a United Nations report, the two Kenyans are among 68 peacekeepers from across the world who will receive the medal during a solemn ceremony at the UN Headquarters, recognising their dedication to international peace and security.
Major Njoroge served with the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilisation Mission in the Central African Republic (MINUSCA), while Ms Chege served in a civilian role with the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO).
Guterres to Lead Global Tribute
The awards ceremony will be led by UN Secretary-General António Guterres, who will lay a wreath in memory of nearly 4,500 peacekeepers who have lost their lives while serving under the UN flag since peacekeeping operations began in 1948.
Among those being remembered are 59 peacekeepers who died during the past year, underscoring the continuing dangers faced by personnel deployed to conflict and post-conflict regions across the globe.
Reflecting on their sacrifice, Guterres said:
“No one should die serving the cause of peace.”
He added that UN peacekeeping remains one of the international community’s most effective tools for preventing conflict, protecting civilians and helping war-torn societies rebuild, while urging member states to strengthen political and financial support for peacekeeping missions.
Kenya’s Long History of Peacekeeping Sacrifice
The recognition shines a spotlight on Kenya’s decades-long contribution to UN peacekeeping missions.
Since the country first began deploying personnel to UN operations in the 1980s, 73 Kenyan peacekeepers have lost their lives while serving in international missions.
Kenya currently ranks as the 27th largest contributor of uniformed personnel to UN peacekeeping operations, with 440 Kenyan peacekeepers, including 72 women, serving in missions across:
- Abyei
- Central African Republic
- Democratic Republic of the Congo
- India-Pakistan
- Lebanon
- Somalia
- South Sudan
Their duties include protecting civilians, monitoring ceasefires, facilitating humanitarian aid deliveries and supporting fragile peace agreements in volatile regions.
More Than 50,000 Peacekeepers Deployed Worldwide
Globally, the United Nations currently has over 50,000 civilian, military and police personnel deployed across 11 peacekeeping missions, where they work to prevent violence, protect vulnerable communities and help countries transition from conflict to lasting peace.
This year’s International Day of UN Peacekeepers was marked under the theme “Invest in Peace,” highlighting growing concerns over increasing global conflicts and shrinking financial resources available to support peacekeeping operations.
Other Peacekeeping Heroes Also Recognised
The ceremony will also honour outstanding service by UN personnel through several prestigious awards, including:
- The Captain Mbaye Diagne Medal for Exceptional Courage
- The Military Gender Advocate of the Year Award
- The UN Woman Police Officer of the Year Award
The posthumous recognition of Major Paul Ndungu Njoroge and Ms Alice Wanjiru Chege serves as a powerful reminder of Kenya’s enduring commitment to international peacekeeping and the heavy price paid by those who dedicate their lives to protecting others in some of the world’s most dangerous environments.
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