The United Nations cut compensation for Kenyan troops fighting Al-Shabaab militants in Somalia by a fifth to Sh4.69 billion.

Treasury documents show that the reimbursement for the year to June was lower than the Sh5.82 billion that it received from the UN the previous year. The refund is linked to money spent by its troops in Somalia under the African Union Mission (Amisom). The Treasury is targeting Sh6.1 billion in the next fiscal year starting July.

The repayment also signals faster disbursement from the UN after delays last year prompted Kenya to issue a protest to the Security Council, saying failure to reimburse Kenya the money was not only “unacceptable”, but also “unsustainable.”

“Security is necessary for encouraging investment, accelerating growth and creating more jobs for our youth. To this end, the following allocation has been provided; Sh6.1 billion for Amisom,” read a document submitted by the National Treasury secretary to Parliament.

4,660 soldiers

Kenya launched an incursion into Somalia in response to incessant attacks and kidnappings by Al-Shabaab militants within its territory. Kenya formally sent 4,660 of its soldiers to Somalia in October 2011.

A year later, the UN Security Council, gave Kenya the green light to join Amisom, a decision that meant it would not bear the full costs of the incursion.

Amisom is an eight-year- old operation with nearly 20,000 troops from Uganda, Burundi, Djibouti, Sierra Leone and Kenya, which was the last to join the stabilisation force. Amisom refunded Kenya the monies spent from the date of the UN resolution until June 2012 when Amisom began catering for the soldiers directly.

Under the deal, Kenyan soldiers were to receive a monthly allowance of Sh88,408 ($1,028) besides their salaries as well as comprehensive medical cover and access to advanced equipment.

Kenya’s entry into Somalia to battle Al-Shabaab has triggered a series of grenade and bomb attacks that has been blamed on the militant group, which wants Kenya to withdraw from the country.

This has spurred UK, the US, Australia and France to warn their citizens against travelling to Kenya.