President William Ruto granted the 23 Mechanised Infantry Battalion (MIB) mandate, making it a fully operational unit of the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) on Monday, December 12.
The 23 MIB received presidential and regimental colours from the head of state who authorised Brigadier David Chesire to command the unit.
Based in Marsabit County, 23 MIB, whose motto is rolling fire due to their zeal in combat, specialises in gun handling.
Before issuing the full mandate, Ruto inspected a guard of honour mounted by the three services of KDF in a trooping of the colour ceremony.
The national anthem was sung three times prior to the head of state handing the flag to the unit. Further, various religious leaders performed different acts to consecrate the unit.
According to KDF protocols, losing the flag leads to the unit’s disbandment.
To protect its autonomy, soldiers from the 23 MIB offer 24 hours protection to their flag at a specific enclosed place.
The unit, prior to the ceremony, was deployed to Somalia in the African transition mission.
Other strides made by the rifle unit included representing the country in the East African community post-exercise in Uganda in 2019.
The event has been held on a rotational basis through all EAC countries, save for the Republic of South Sudan, since 2005.
Through the event, EAC partner states’ armed forces and other Civilian Key Stakeholders plan and conduct an integrated mission that encompasses; Peace Support Operations(PSO), Disaster Management (DM), Counter Terrorism (CT) and Counter Piracy (CP).
In 2020, the 23 MIB tactical unit was deployed in a close operation unit, raising its prospects in the country’s defence.
The Mechanised Infantry Battalion was formed on July 19, 2017, alongside the 25 Mechanised Infantry Battalion and 27 Mechanised Infantry Battalion, which formed the 8th infantry Brigade commanded by Brigadier David Chesire.
On November 30, 2018, it continued to consolidate her forces, bond, train and prepare for operations and other routine tasks.
Source: kENYANS.CO.KE