President William Ruto on Thursday, May 30 announced that the United States would help the Ministry of Defence set up new facilities at the National Defence College in Karen.
Speaking during a graduation ceremony at the college, the Head of State noted that some of the facilities to be set up include tuition blocks.
He stated the move would help address the growing demand for space at the facility given the growing number of student enrollments.
The US government has allocated Ksh1.1 billion (USD 9 million) towards the project.
"I am delighted to announce that the Ministry of Defence in collaboration with the US government is building a new tuition block for the college in response to the growing demand for National Defence College courses.
"I want to thank the US government for this facility," he stated.
On the other hand, the college management revealed that construction of the facility had already begun following a successful groundbreaking exercise.
"The initial phase of the proposed infrastructural project will involve setting up an administration block with offices and a seminar room," read the statement in part.
Other facilities to be constructed include a library block and an ultra-modern auditorium capable of accommodating 250 people.
“The new facility is a clear demonstration of the strong cordial relations that Kenya and the US enjoy a critical strategy to strengthen strategic defence infrastructure.
"This shall go a long way in bolstering our efforts to promote peace, security, and stability in the Horn of Africa and the Great Lakes Region” Defence CS Aden Duale stated.
Notably, the revelation of the deal comes at a time after Ruto struck a defence deal with the President Joe Biden's administration.
Other defence collaboration projects that will be undertaken include the expansion of Manda Airstrip and the procurement of 16 aircraft.
