The United States of America military’s Africa Command (AFRICOM) presented the Kenyan Defence Forces (KDF) with advanced protective equipment valued at Sh220 million ($1.38 million).
The handover ceremony, held at Kahawa Barracks, on Tuesday, January 30, featured the delivery of 6,730 cutting-edge pieces of equipment designed to elevate the safety and capabilities of KDF service members.
The donation comprised soft body armor and ballistic helmets, strategically engineered to safeguard against small arms fire.
Additionally, ballistic plates, capable of withstanding heavier ammunition, enhance the protective capabilities crucial for the security and efficiency of Kenya’s military personnel.
These advanced items will play a pivotal role in fortifying the defence capabilities during ongoing counterterrorism and peacekeeping operations.
This boosts the military whose wares are aging and depleting amid budget constraints.
Expressing the depth of the partnership, Maj Gen Juma Mwinyika, General Officer Commanding (GOC) Eastern Command appreciated the gesture.
“I can’t overemphasize the goodwill that is here in this partnership. What is left is for us at the tactical and operational level to do much more. We have good support from the United States at the strategic level,” he said.
The shipment, which arrived in Kenya on January 22, was officially handed over to the Kenyan Defence Forces, signalling an augmentation of Kenya’s capabilities and preparedness to address evolving security challenges in the region.
Maj Gen Kenneth Ekman at U.S. AFRICOM emphasized the significance of the donation.
“We are proud to complete this grant of protective equipment to our partners in the Kenya Defence Forces. This donation underscores the United States’ commitment to supporting the security efforts of our international partners and fostering a free, open, and stable international order.”
The donation was part of the fulfilment of one of the Kenya Defence Forces’ priority requests to U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin.
Secretary Austin visited Kenya in September 2023, marking the first visit to Kenya by a U.S. Secretary of Defense in 47 years.
Several other high-ranking officials have visited Kenya in a series underscoring the importance the USA gives the country.
US Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) Director William Burns met President William Ruto at State House, Nairobi, on January 15, 2024.
He also met other security bosses in Nairobi.
Kenya is among key strategic partners in the US security activities including terrorism and transnational organized crime.
Kenya and the US also have an active framework for Defence Cooperation running between 2023-2028 for the mutual benefit of the two countries.
Additionally, the two countries continue to interact through national Bilateral Strategic Dialogue (BSD) and biennial ministerial Bilateral Defence Forum (BDF).
