Kenya’s President Uhuru Kenyatta has urged armed groups in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo to lay down their weapons and work with government in nurturing peace and stability.

The representatives of armed groups are going to meet in Kenya’s capital, Nairobi, for direct talks with DRC officials. More than 20 groups are said to be represented.

The talks are part of resolutions passed at a recent summit of East African heads of state.

East African heads of state have agreed to deploy a joint military force to eastern DRC, to deal with the armed groups operating in that region.