The French Embassy has responded to the public inquiry on the reason behind the presence of the French military in Kenya.
This comes after over 800 French military officials were seen at the port of Mombasa on March 13, 2026, raising questions among the public about why the French soldiers were in the country and what their mission was.
In a statement on Monday, March 16, 2026, the French Embassy detailed the reasons behind the French military presence in Kenya.
According to the embassy, the French naval task group docked at Mombasa, Kenya, as part of a 5-month mission (Jeanne d’Arc operation) patrolling the Indian and Pacific Oceans.
A French naval task group – the Jeanne d’Arc operation comprising the Dixmude & Aconit warships – made a stopover at Mombasa from March 13 to March 16 as part of a five-month mission to patrol the Indian and Pacific Oceans”, the Embassy stated.
Their goal is to ensure freedom of navigation & conclude the training of French and international officer cadets,” it added.
The embassy also stated that Kenya and France share common values, including adherence to international law, maritime security, and free trade in the Indian Ocean.
Furthermore, the French military stopover in Kenya was therefore intended to allow the French navy to support maritime security in the region, contributing to initiatives such as the European Union’s Atalanta mission, which combats piracy and ensures safe navigation at sea.
The French Embassy explained the military presence in Mombasa
