- He also underscored the value of the cooperation, resulting in capacity building for the KDF through military activities and programmes.
- These include joint training and exercises, the tri-lateral construction of a Counter-Insurgency, Terrorism and Stability Operations (CITSO) training centre between Kenya, the UK, and the US as well as the development of the Kenya Navy Marines
Image: HANDOUT
The United Kingdom Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) Gen Sir Roland Walker arrived in Nairobi on Monday for several meetings with local officials.
Gen Sir Walker is a senior most military official in the UK and his visit is seen as significant.
He on Tuesday met the Chief of the Defence Forces (CDF) Gen Charles Kahariri at the Defence Headquarters, Nairobi.
Gen Sir Walker was accorded a half guard mounted by the Kenya Air Force, officials said.
They talked among other issues counter terrorism and regular training.
During their bilateral discussions on areas of cooperation among the two nations.
Gen Kahariri noted that Kenya and the United Kingdom (UK) share long-standing relations and have partnered extensively in the areas of defence, security, and counter-terrorism
He also underscored the value of the cooperation, resulting in capacity building for the KDF through military activities and programmes.
These include joint training and exercises, the tri-lateral construction of a Counter-Insurgency, Terrorism and Stability Operations (CITSO) training centre between Kenya, the UK, and the US as well as the development of the Kenya Navy Marines.
DoD said Gen Sir Walker pledged continued cooperation in enhancing Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) capacity to boost KDF's contribution to regional peace, security, and stability owing to her position as an anchor State in the region.
The visit comes in the wake of new terror threats in the region worsened by instability in Sudan and Somalia.
Reports say terror groups are regrouping for new attacks at various places.
Gen Sir Walker was scheduled to visit various places in the country and meet British troops who are in training sessions.
Also present during the talks was the Vice Chief of Defence Forces (VCDF) Lt. Gen John Omenda, Kenya Airforce Commander, Maj. Gen Fatma Ahmed, Chief of Operations at the Defence Headquarters, Chief of Personnel at the Defence Headquarters, and Chief of Logistics at the Defence Headquarters.
Gen Sir ‘Roly’ Walker was commissioned into the Irish Guards in 1993 and served with the UK’s Special Forces (SF) from 1997.
He commanded the Grenadier Guards in 2009, promoted to the General Staff four years later.
He has commanded at company, squadron, battle group, brigade and SF group levels, variously in Northern Ireland, Afghanistan, Iraq, as well as joint command of operations across Europe, the broader Middle East, Africa and South America.
On the Staff, he has served in brigade, divisional, army and strategic Headquarters.
He was the Deputy Chief of Defence Staff (Military Strategy & Operations) at the Ministry of Defence since April 2021, during which time he was responsible for advising on and directing operations to support the government’s response to Covid, the death of the late Duke of Edinburgh, the withdrawal from Kabul, the full-scale invasion of Ukraine by Russia, the death of the late Queen Elizabeth II and coronation of His Majesty King Charles III, numerous evacuation operations and most recently the Hamas attacks on Israel.
In December 2023 it was announced that General Walker was to be the new Chief of the General Staff, succeeding Gen Sir Patrick Sanders.
He was made a Knight Commander of the Most Honourable Order of the Bath in 2023, and a Companion of the Distinguished Service Order in 2010.
Gen Sir Walker is the President of the Honourable Artillery Company, Army Rugby and Army Winter Sports.