- He said that the defence forces needed to maintain the capacity for the education needs of the future generation.
- The President spoke during the National Defence College Graduation, Karen, Nairobi.
President William Ruto has said that Kenya in partnership with the United States government is building a defence college. https://shorturl.at/jfM47
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President William Ruto has said that Kenya in partnership with the United States government is building a defence college.
The President said that the facility will help address the needs of students in the future.
The President thanked the US government for partnering in building the facility.
"I'm delighted to announce that the Ministry of Defence in collaboration with the United States government is building a new tuition facility for the college in response to the growing demand of national defence college esteemed courses," he said.
He said that the defence forces needed to maintain the capacity for the education needs of the future generation.
The President spoke during the National Defence College Graduation, Karen, Nairobi.
Ruto said the country is training and upgrading the capacity of security personnel to be more alert and precise in tackling the ever-evolving, complex and mutating threats facing the region.
He said this, is done for the country's security, peace stability in prosperity.
In a statement on Thursday, US Ambassador to Kenya Meg Whitman said the US is strengthening Kenya’s defence capabilities and shared security interests.
"Our close relationship led President Biden to designate Kenya a Major Non-NATO Ally, the first in sub-Saharan Africa. With over $230M invested since 2020," she said on X.
Ruto's sentiments come days after his trip to the US where he signed major security deals.
Kenya will receive 16 US-manufactured helicopters to boost the country’s security operations and peacekeeping missions.
White House said the 16 helicopters include eight Hueys to bolster regional peace and security and eight MD-500s to enhance Kenya's peacekeeping mission participation.
The aircraft are expected to arrive in Nairobi between late 2024 and 2025, the White House said.
Kenya will also receive approximately 150 M1117 Armored Security Vehicles from the U.S. Excess Defense Article stocks which are projected to arrive in Kenya in September 2024.
In a bid to fortify collaboration on counterterrorism, the two nations have pledged to deepen their information-sharing efforts.
Kenya is also in the process of joining Operation Gallant Phoenix, a program facilitating multinational cooperation in sharing terrorist-related information.
"Additionally, Kenya is in the process of joining Operation Gallant Phoenix, a program that advances multinational collaboration and sharing of terrorist information to build mutual capacity to collect and use battlefield evidence in civilian criminal justice proceedings in a multiagency, multinational setting. These initiatives should help both countries better protect our borders and our citizens from terrorist actors."
As part of deepening a legacy of military training and capacity building between the two countries, in the summer of 2024, for the first time, the Kenya Defence Forces will have candidates starting courses at the U.S. Military Academy, the U.S. Naval Academy, and the U.S. Air Force Academy.
This will go a long way in building on a long tradition of the majority of Kenyan general officers benefitting from U.S. International Military Education Training courses.