Kenya (Commonwealth Union) _ Kenya has signed a cooperation agreement with the United States aimed at boosting its fight against the terrorist group Al-Shabaab. Under this agreement, Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) soldiers will receive training, financial support, and technical assistance over the next five years.
US Secretary of Defence Lloyd James Austin III announced the agreement during a press briefing in Nairobi. He praised Kenya’s leadership in addressing security challenges in the region and expressed gratitude for Kenya’s willingness to consider leading a multinational security assistance mission in Haiti. The US has offered up to $100.3 million in financial assistance, as well as technical support for the Haiti mission, pending approval by the UN Security Council.
As part of this cooperation, Kenyan police officers from specialized units of the Administrative Police will be deployed to Haiti in the coming months to combat armed gangs in the capital and provincial towns. Kenya’s Defence Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale emphasized that Al-Shabaab is currently the largest terrorist group in East Africa, recruiting and radicalizing young people for terrorist operations.
The cooperation between Kenya and the US will also support Kenya’s contribution to global peacekeeping missions, providing training, technology, and innovation to enhance KDF’s capabilities. Duale highlighted the importance of interoperability between the two countries’ militaries in addressing evolving security challenges in the region and beyond.
US Secretary of Defence Austin noted the progress made by Somalia in the past year in the fight against Al-Shabaab, including the recapture of territory from the group. He emphasized the importance of a comprehensive approach involving defence capabilities, development, and diplomacy in addressing security challenges on the continent.
This agreement reflects ongoing efforts to strengthen security cooperation between Kenya and the US in countering terrorism and enhancing regional stability.
