The Chief of Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) Robert Kibochi Wednesday, May 4, held a high-stakes meeting with the US Assistant Secretary of Defense for International Affairs Celeste Wallander.
In a statement shared by the US Defence, the discussion between them gravitated around security matters in the larger East African Region.
Accompanied by Cabinet Secretary of Defense Eugene Wamalwa, the meeting took place at the famous Pentagon building in Arlington County, Virginia.
The forum sought to strengthen the bilateral cooperation between the Defense Department and the Kenya Ministry of Defense and Kenya Defense Forces.
"The talks reaffirmed the two countries commitment to strengthening bilateral defense cooperation between the Defense Department and the Kenya Ministry of Defense and Kenya Defense Forces, officials said at the conclusion of the meeting.
"The two sides discussed a range of topics, including regional security, cybersecurity and security cooperation as well as the mission of U.S. Africa Command and the status of the partnership program between Kenya and the Massachusetts National Guard," read the statement in part.
The two countries have over the years collaborated in various battles with the most dominant being the operation in Somalia aimed at flushing out Al Shabaab militants.
Kenya participates in the operation as a member of the African Union Mission in Somalia -AMISOM.
Over the years, KDF officers have also participated in 'many U.S. Africa Command exercises and served alongside American troops in U.N. operations.'
To boost local security, the US has also previously supplied KDF with military equipment including vehicles valued at Ksh440 million vide the US Africa Command (AFRICOM).
The 23 combat and logistics vehicles were delivered in September 2020.
The equipment included 15 Mack trucks, two Mack tow trucks and eight up-armored Humvees to support KDF combat and logistics operations.
