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In your opinion, how loyal are the Kroot supposed to be to the Tau Empire? We know that they're moonlighting as mercenaries for the other races, but does that mean that they are, in fact, completely decieving the Tau? Or is that they are loyal to the Tau, but lousy at factional monogamy? Or do they have political issues, with some Kindreds loyal to the Tau and others not, but also not willing to screw it up for the loyal Kindred by being discovered?

The Codex is not 100% clear, and I want your opinion. What do you think?

I would say that the Kroot are actually very loyal to the Tau race. The krooty eat just about anything. the tau are one of the very few races off the menu. If a Kroot is vound eating a Tau then they are granted the reward of execution. Their Shaper cuts of their head. They will not eat them due to them saving them from extinction by the Orks and saving their homeworld of Pech.

The other races they will not eat are chaos tainted humans. And also Tyranids. Which the Shapers grant them as inedible which to a Kroot means somethiong far worse than what we consider inedible. They are repulsed by the Tyranids and hate the way that they change their DNA.

I'd say they're very loyal.

Several times (mainly in the DoW time-line) I've read about Kroot being the ones to turn the tide of battle and bringing victory for the Tau Empire.

Plus, they look like Predator. 'NUFF SAID.

1.) The Kroot race can only survive by constant input of new genes. This is a biological necessity. The genes within the small Tau Empire are not enough. So they have to travel outside the Tau Empire as well. Having warp-capable ships helps.
2.) Generally, the Kroot do not follow ordinary conceptions of loyalty. Nor hate. They are pragmatics by heart, doing what profits them the most, working as mercenaries for everyone who pays them in what they need (including genes).
3.) But they are grateful to the Tau for having saved their race's survival. And profit from the alliance. So within the above limits, they are quite loyal, they just follow their own issues as well.

BTW: For more official info, read the "Index Xenos: Kroot" by Andy Hoare, reprinted in the fanmade Kodex Kroot:
http://www.chaosfactor.org/images/5th_ed_kroot_mercenaries_army_list_by_kompletely_kroot_V5.83.pdf

I dont think the Kroot would want to eat a Tau anyways, they have no genetic advantage that the kroot could want.

I think they are very loyal to the Tau. IIRC After the Tau saved the race, they're leader swore to help the Tau in any way possible. To other races they are loyal as long as the currency keeps flowing.

They are not duping the Tau.
But yes, faction monogamy is not on the menu for kroots....
They would never fight against the tau, or harm tau in anyway.

Iirc it says in the tau codex that the kroots extra curricular activities are hidden from the tau XD

Nom

The Kroot still put the Kroot first and there's nothing wrong with that. I would say they do feel a fondness for the Tau but probably are less concerned with the the actual Tau Empire and the Greater Good.

Well technically all the Kroot are sworn to the Tau empire I believe. Although Kroot are infamous mercenaries and operate around the galaxy as such. The Kroot are loyal in the sense they will fight for the Tau, but the Tau have given them tech which is profitable to the Kroot, as well as chances for the genes they require. I think it's more on a 'as long as we profit' basis.