Kismayo – Behind every successful Peace Support Operation (PSO) are dedicated personnel working tirelessly to sustain troops on the ground. In AUSSOM Sector 2, Sergeant Irine Anyango plays a critical role in ensuring soldiers remain energised and ready to execute duties through her work as a military chef.
Serving under the African Union Support and Stabilisation Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM), Sgt Anyango is responsible for preparing and managing meals for the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) troops deployed in Kismayo.
She has proudly served in the military since joining the KDF in 2009. Her decision to join the military was driven by a desire to challenge stereotypes and prove herself in a traditionally male-dominated profession.
“My inspiration came from the fact that the military is a male-dominated profession,” she explained. “I wanted to join and prove that I could do what men do, and even do it better. I also wanted to be the only girl from my family serving in the Kenya Defence Forces.”
That determination has guided her throughout her military career and continues to shape her contribution within the mission.
As a chef in the mission, Sgt Anyango’s operational duties focus on ensuring troops receive safe and timely meals, an essential part of maintaining operational readiness in demanding environments.
“My operational duty is to ensure meals are prepared on time, served on time and that food safety is maintained at all costs,” she said.
Although often behind the scenes, her role directly supports the well-being and performance of soldiers carrying out security and peacekeeping duties across the Sector.
Preparing meals for large numbers of troops in a mission environment is physically demanding. Sgt Anyango said one of her biggest challenges has been building the strength needed to handle the workload.
“The work requires a lot of energy, and I had to overcome that through physical exercise to gain stamina,” she explained.
Like many deployed personnel, she has also faced the emotional challenge of being separated from family for long periods of time.
“Being away from family for a long period is difficult,” she said. “Sometimes your mind flashes back to memories at home, and you feel like you want to go back home.”
Despite these sacrifices, Sgt Anyango remains committed to supporting the mission and the troops she serves.
Reflecting on her deployment, she said her greatest achievement has been successfully sustaining meal preparation for troops throughout the mission.
“I am proud that I was able to sustain the preparation of food for a large number of troops,” she said. “The meals energized them during their operations in the mission and contributed to the accomplishment of mission goals.”
Sgt Anyango demonstrated that dedication and service extend far beyond combat operations.
Through resilience, professionalism, and determination, she continues to support frontline troops and contribute to the success of the mission in Sector 2.
