Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) made history on Friday, May 5, after successfully establishing its first-ever Kenyan Marine Commando Unit (KMCU).
The unit was formed after UK elite forces trained KDF soldiers who graduated at a passing-out parade at Mtongwe Naval Base in Mombasa.
According to a statement shared by the UK government, the new commando unit will specialise in amphibious operations on land and in the sea.
It will also disrupt and weaken various extremist groups in the region.
The group underwent a 12-week training programme supervised by 40 elite soldiers from the most dreaded unit in the UK.
Commando Royal Marines from the UK drafted and approved a complete course, used in the training exercise.
"Ten British Marines from 40 Commando Royal Marines trained the KMCU over twelve weeks as part of a training programme including physical fitness and amphibious assaults," the UK government stated.
"Potential recruits were selected from the Kenyan Military to undertake rigorous training programme. The UK-funded obstacle course that was constructed at Mtongwe Naval Base is a near identical replica of the course used at the Royal Marine Commando training base in Lympstone, UK," it added.
According to Prime Minister Rishi Sunak's administration, the Marine Commandos will also help other countries within the East African countries gain relevant skills in averting conflict.
The training also portrayed UK's commitment to supporting President Ruto's administration to empower the security sector.
Besides receiving training from the UK, the first-ever Marine Commando Unit also partnered with an elite military unit from the US.
"The UK, Kenya the US stand shoulder to shoulder in the shared endeavour of countering Al Shabaab. This history-making partnership - the creation of the first-ever Marine Commando Unit - is a clear signal of our three countries’ enduring commitment to the Kenyan Military and regional security.," British High Commissioner to Kenya Jane Marriot stated.
