Kenya’s Defence Secretary, Hon. Soipan Tuya, and the Netherlands’ Defence Minister, Mr. Ruben Brekelmans, signed a Letter of Intent to enhance defence cooperation in areas like peace operations, AI, and maritime security. This collaboration is expected to bolster the Kenya Defence Forces’ capabilities and formalize future military agreements.
The Cabinet Secretary for Defence of Kenya, Hon. Soipan Tuya, engaged in bilateral discussions with the Netherlands’ Defence Minister, Mr. Ruben Brekelmans, at the International Peace Support and Training Center in Nairobi. They formalized their cooperation by signing a Letter of Intent aimed at enhancing Defence Cooperation across several key areas, including peace support operations and cybersecurity.
During the talks, Hon. Tuya emphasized the strengthening of collaborative efforts between Kenya and the Netherlands. She noted ongoing work on a Defence Cooperation Agreement (DCA) and a Status of Force Agreement (SOFA), which are essential for formalizing future military engagements and ensuring best practices in capacity building for the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF).
Minister Brekelmans reiterated the Netherlands’ commitment to boosting KDF capabilities, highlighting Kenya’s crucial role in fostering regional peace and security. He stressed the importance of jointly enhancing the effectiveness of intelligence-led peacekeeping and responsible AI use in military operations through international cooperation.
Key figures present included the Principal Secretary for Defence, Dr. Patrick Mariru; Lieutenant General John Omenda, Vice Chief of Defence Forces; Major General Alfred Leuria; Brigadier Joyce Sitienei, Director of the International Peace Support and Training Center; and senior military officials from both nations.
The bilateral talks between Kenya and the Netherlands mark a significant commitment to strengthening defence cooperation, focusing on critical areas such as AI, cybersecurity, and military training. Both nations aim to formalize these arrangements through forthcoming agreements, enhancing regional stability and peacekeeping efforts.
Original Source: www.mod.go.ke
