Chief of the Defence Forces, General Charles Kahariri, on Tuesday, March 17, hosted Chief of the General Staff of the United Kingdom, General Sir Roland Walker, at the Defence Headquarters in Nairobi.
According to the UK Embassy in Nairobi, General Walker’s visit aimed to strengthen the Kenya-UK Defence Partnership.
During the visit, the two military chiefs held discussions on cementing existing collaborations in training, counter-terrorism cooperation, and leadership development, as well as enhancing joint initiatives and expanding operational cooperation in response to emerging regional and global security challenges.
General Sir Roland Walker Meets Kenya’s Chief of Defence Forces. Photo: Courtesy.
General Walker also visited Headquarters Kenya Army, where he met with Commander Kenya Army, Lieutenant General David Ketter, to further discuss bilateral military cooperation.
The two discussed that joint training programs remain vital for enhancing professionalism, interoperability, and operational readiness between the Kenyan and UK forces.
General Walker moreover toured the Kenya Navy Base at Manda Bay in Lamu County, where he and General Kahariri received a briefing on the current security situation in the Boni Forest region.
The delegation also visited the Combined Joint Interagency Task Force, a trilateral Kenya–UK–USA platform designed to integrate intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance capabilities, and to strengthen coordinated operational planning.
The platform combines intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance capabilities to boost situational awareness and support coordinated joint operations, including direct involvement in Operation Amani Boni and maritime security along Kenya’s coastline.
General Walker’s visit comes just days after the French Army deployed 800 naval officers to Mombasa for a five-month mission patrolling the Indian and Pacific Oceans.
During the visit, General Charles Kahariri was awarded France’s prestigious Legion of Honour in recognition of his outstanding service as a military officer.
