Kanya's parliament approves the deployment of more than 900 troops to DRC

Kenya's parliament has approved the deployment of more than 900 troops to the conflict-wracked east of the Democratic Republic of Congo in a mission that will cost taxpayers $36.5 million for an initial six months.

The National Assembly on Wednesday approved the despatch of just over 900 Kenya Defence Force personnel to the DRC as part of a joint regional operation against a resurgent rebel offensive.

The mineral-rich DRC is struggling to contain dozens of armed militias including the M23 rebel group whose recent advances in the country's east have revived old animosities and exacerbated regional tensions.

Kenyan President William Ruto announced on November 2 that the country would be sending in troops, following an agreement by the East African Community (EAC) regional bloc in April to establish a joint force to help restore security in the DRC