The Chief of the Defence Forces (CDF), General Charles Kahariri, hosted two separate, high-level foreign delegations at the Defence Headquarters in Nairobi on Friday 21 2025.
The administrative support for these crucial meetings included the Colonel Defence Relations Office, Col Samuel Olando, and Colonel Plans, Col David Owili, from Defence Headquarters Strategic Plans and Policy Branch.
The first delegation featured the Sierra Leone High Commissioner to Kenya, H.E. Lieutenant General (Rtd) Peter Kakowou Lavahun, who also serves as the Permanent Representative to the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and UN-Habitat.
Accompanying the High Commissioner were Minister Plenipotentiary Mr Abdul Karim Kargbo and Information Attache Abu Bakar Dakowa.
During their discussions, the CDF and the High Commissioner built upon the strong foundation of the historical relationship between the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) and the Republic of Sierra Leone Armed Forces (RSLAF).
According to General Kahariri, it was noted that Kenya played a crucial role in stabilising Sierra Leone during conflicts spanning the late 1990s into the early 2000s.
Furthermore, both nations recognised the contribution of the RSLAF to international peace operations during its deployment in Somalia as part of the then-AMISOM.
The CDF also received a delegation from Azerbaijan, which was led by the nation's Minister of Defence Industries, Vuqar Mustafayev.
From the press statement, these particular discussions were framed around strengthening diplomatic relations, with both sides reaffirming their long-term commitment to mutually beneficial cooperation.
This cooperation follows a significant milestone earlier this year when Kenya and Azerbaijan celebrated 20 years of bilateral relations in June 2025, marked by the inauguration of Azerbaijan's permanent embassy in Nairobi.
The diplomatic outreach's primary focus is to provide structure to these relationships, elevating Kenya's strategic value and influence globally.
The High Commissioner and the CDF resolved to fast-track the signing of the Defence Cooperation Agreement (DCA) between the Republic of Kenya and the Republic of Sierra Leone to provide a framework for structured and enhanced defence cooperation between the two countries.
General Kahariri reaffirmed that this planned DCA will serve as the formal framework for structured cooperation, ensuring the defence channels become a predictable and powerful pillar of Kenya's modern foreign policy.
