President William Ruto announced Wednesday the deployment of troops in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo in a joint regional operation against a rebel offensive.
Attacks have grown in eastern DRC, reviving ancient animosities and igniting a surge in tension with neighbouring Rwanda.
The EAC members, leaders of the East African community, signed an agreement in April to establish a joint force to restore security in the region.
As neighbours, the destiny of the DRC is intertwined with ours, he said.
We will not allow any terrorists, armed groups, criminals and terrorists to deny us our shared prosperity. Kenya will lead the forces, which will also include soldiers from Burundi, Uganda and South Sudan.
A Rwandan contingent will be sent along the border, after Kinshasa objected to Kigali's participation in any operations within the DRC.
Nairobi military officials declined to reveal the number of Kenyan soldiers involved, citing obvious security reasons A UN force, known by its French acronym of MONUSCO, is already operating in the Democratic Republic of Congo. In addition, Uganda and Burundi sent troops to the DRC at the invitation of the Congolese government.
The M 23 rebels, mostly Congolese, resumed fighting in late 2021 after lying dormant for years, accusing the DRC government of failing to incorporate its fighters into the army.
The recent progress of the militia in North Kivu province has led the UN peacekeeping mission there to increase its alert level and boost support for the Congolese army.
The resurgence of the M 23 has had a resoning effect on relations in central Africa.
The DRC denies Rwanda supports the militia, claims denied by Kigali.
On Saturday, Kinshasa announced he would expel the ambassador of Rwanda to Rwanda. Rwanda argues that Kinshasa is on the path of continued military escalation. The international community has been affected by the increase in violence, with the African Union calling for a ceasefire.