The Kenya Defense Forces (KDF) work in an organised and disciplined manner, with most of their operations remaining classified information.

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Currently, KDF is involved in active war against Al-Shabaab in Somalia. Last year, some families came out, and reported cases of missing soldiers, who are yet to be traced three years after 2016 El-Adde attack where hundreds of soldiers died.

In a phone interview on Sunday, Major (Rtd) John Ondieki, noted that KDF developed a policy that allows families of soldiers who go missing in the event of an attack, to keep connection with the Department of Defense for seven years.

According to him, the families continue getting benefits of the missing soldier for that period, adding that if he or she cannot be traced by end of the seven years, a presumption certificate of death is issued, after which the family receives final benefits from KDF.

"When a soldier goes missing, KDF launches a mission to trace him or her. That happens for a period of seven years. Search and rescue mission is done throughout that time," he noted.

"For the sake of the family, they continue receiving his or her salary throughout that time. If there are no traces of the soldier for seven years, a presumption death certificate is done for final benefits," said the former soldier.

There have been issues about stress management among soldiers who go to war, and witness traumatic events

In an article by the Daily Nation, Major (Rtd) Lucy Mukuria, observed that little is done to help such soldiers live a normal life.

"I tell them that I've spent days lying in bed, thinking about the slumping bodies, covered in fluids and maggots in half-zipped body bags. The bodies, they came in trucks, you know, trucks. I haven't been able to smell since then; I've lost that entirely," she said