Kenya and the United Kingdom have strengthened their defence partnership following a familiarisation visit by the UK Chief of the General Staff, Roland Walker, who held a series of military meetings in Nairobi and visited main security installations.
General Walker paid a courtesy call on the Chief of the Defence Forces, General Charles Kahariri, at Defence Headquarters.
During the meeting, the two leaders reviewed the long-standing military relationship between Kenya and the United Kingdom and discussed ways to expand cooperation.
The talks focused on joint training programmes, strengthening skills and systems within the armed forces, and increasing operational cooperation to address changing security challenges at the regional and global level.
Roland Walker Focus on Training, Readiness, and Operational Cooperation
As part of the visit, Roland Walker also held discussions at the Kenya Army Headquarters with the Commander of the Kenya Army, Lieutenant General David Ketter.
The meeting focused on strengthening cooperation between the two armies, particularly in training, capacity building, and operational readiness.
Both leaders noted that continued joint training helps improve professionalism, ensures troops can work well together, and enhances preparedness.
General Walker praised the strong working relationship between the Kenya Defence Forces and the British Army. In response, Lieutenant General Ketter said the Kenya Army remains committed to strengthening cooperation through continued training activities and sharing of knowledge and experience.
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Roland Walker also led a high-level delegation on a strategic visit to the Kenya Navy Base Manda Bay in Lamu County. During the visit, the delegation received briefings on the security situation in the Boni Forest area.
The briefings covered ongoing counter-terrorism operations by the Kenya Defence Forces aimed at disrupting militant activity, dismantling hostile networks, and improving security along the Kenya–Somalia border.
While at the base, the delegation toured the Combined Joint Interagency Task Force, a joint Kenya, UK, and United States security platform.
The task force brings together intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance capabilities to support information sharing, coordinated operational planning, maritime security efforts, and direct support for Operation Amani Boni.
The visit ended at the International Peace Support Training Centre, where engagements showed continued cooperation between Kenya and the United Kingdom in peace support training and international peace operations.
Earlier Visit by US Defence Chief
Before the visit by the UK army chief, Kenya had also hosted a senior military official from the United States, which, like the United Kingdom, is a member of NATO.
In September 2024, U.S. Marine Corps General Michael Langley, the head of the United States Africa Command (AFRICOM), travelled to Nairobi for a series of defence and security meetings with Kenyan authorities.
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During his visit, General Langley met with the Chief of the Defence Forces, General Charles Kahariri, and other senior officers from the Kenya Defence Forces to discuss ways the two countries could continue working together on security matters.
The discussions focused on fighting terrorism, improving security in the region, and strengthening cooperation through joint training and information sharing. Particular attention was given to threats linked to militant groups operating in the region and the need for coordinated responses.
General Langley also visited military facilities in Nairobi and later travelled to Manda Bay, where Kenyan and U.S. forces work closely on security operations.
At these locations, he received briefings on ongoing operations, maritime security efforts, and how the two countries plan and carry out joint activities.
The visit also examined how Kenya and the United States share intelligence, support counterterrorism efforts, and improve readiness through training and capacity building, as part of defence cooperation between Kenya and the United States and as part of wider engagement between Kenya and NATO member countries on security, training, and regional stability.
