KDF) and the late Major Paul Njoroge Ndung’u’s family, friends, and colleagues gathered to receive his body on March 31, 2025. Major Ndung’u, who was serving with the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in the Central African Republic (MINUSCA), was tragically killed on March 28 during an ambush by armed militants.
The ambush occurred while Major Ndung’u and his unit were on a long-range patrol near the village of Tabane in the Haut-Mbomou prefecture. The attack, carried out by unknown assailants, left the officer fatally wounded. The KDF leadership, led by Major General Luka Kutto, paid tribute to Major Ndung’u, describing him as a gallant officer who made the ultimate sacrifice in service to both his nation and peace efforts abroad.
The UN Spokesperson’s office, on behalf of Secretary-General António Guterres, expressed condolences to Major Ndung’u’s family and the people of Kenya. They also condemned the attack, highlighting that such assaults on peacekeepers may constitute war crimes under international law. The UN further called for swift justice to bring the perpetrators to account.
The Central African Republic has been embroiled in sectarian violence since 2012, with armed groups battling for control, exacerbating the humanitarian crisis. The UN and African Union have been working towards a peace settlement, though violence continues to disrupt efforts. In response to the attack, the Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General for CAR, Valentine Rugwabiza, condemned the assault and reaffirmed MINUSCA’s determination to continue its peacekeeping mission despite these challenges.
The UN Security Council also condemned the attack, stressing that such violence against peacekeepers undermines international peacekeeping efforts and must be swiftly investigated. The international community remains united in supporting Kenya and the UN’s mission for peace in CAR, ensuring that the sacrifices of peacekeepers like Major Ndung’u are not in vain.
