Event Summary:
The Massachusetts National Guard and Kenya signed a state partnership agreement at Kenya’s Defence headquarters in Nairobi on 1st October.
The agreement was signed by the Adjutant General of the Massachusetts Guard Maj. Gen. L. Scott Rice and Kenya’s Acting Principal Secretary for Defence Mr. Kiritu Wamae Miano.
Analysis:
Kenya and the Massachusetts National Guard on October 1st signed a state partnership agreement announced earlier in September in a ceremony at Kenya’s Defence Headquarters.
The agreement was signed by Adjutant General of the Massachusetts Guard Maj. Gen. L. Scott Rice and Kenya’s Acting Principal Secretary for Defence Mr. Kiritu Wamae Miano. In attendance were Defence Cabinet Secretary Raychelle Omamo, US ambassador to Kenya Robert Godec and Commmander US. Africa Command Gen. David M Rodriguez.
The program is set to facilitate a partnership in issues like humanitarian assistances, disaster relief, maintenance, emergency management, engineering and army to Air Force aviation.The agreement is expected to solidify Kenya-US partnership in the vision of peace and security for Kenya and eh entire East Africa region.
State Partnership Programs help partners nations build a skilled force that is helps in developing the host state’s defenses and security, disaster responses, crisis management and inter-agency co-operation that aid in upholding security.
Kenya’s Chief of Defence Forces, Samson Mwathethe expressed enthusiasm in the partnership that will improve the prospects of tackling the transnational threats like global and domestic terrorism, youth radicalization, increase of small arms an contraband and narcotic trafficking that are emerging.
Conclusion:
Both parties expressed the commitment of the long term success of the program that will benefit Kenya Defence Forces in dealing and curbing the recent trans-border and global spill-over security threats affecting Kenya and the East African region.
Kenya’s geopolitical location has put her on constant threats on the security both from within and without especially by the global terror network having affiliates in Somalia. The partnership will improve the skills of the servicemen and women and inter-agency co-operation improve Kenya’s security and sustainability.
