UK Defense Secretary Ben Wallace visited Kenya where he met with top security leaders. The Defense Secretary signed a refreshed security cooperation between the two countries.
The signed deal commits UK and Kenya to deepening cooperation more so in combating the shared security threats posed by the Al-Qaeda affiliate, Al-Shabaab. The two countries also agreed to cooperate in combating cybercrime and human trafficking threats in an effort to promote regional stability.
Kenya has been a key ally and a longtime UK’s defense partner of choice in East Africa. Thousands of British soldiers have been training in Kenya’s Nanyuki Military Base over the years. There are over 200 British personnel based here, and the UK Armed Forces are determined to invest further in those bilateral bonds.
Kenya and UK face shared threats prompted by violent extremist groups besides threats from organised crime. The security agreement signed will allow both countries to deepen relationship and tackle regional defense issues as partners.
The signing comes as the Ministry of Defense works towards the publication of the Integrated Review later in the year, which will be keen on strengthening Britain’s security and intelligence cooperation with key allies, subsequently making its easier work together and thus responding quickly to future threats.
During his visit to Kenya this week, the Defense Secretary took time to visit troops at the British Army Training Unit Kenya (BATUK) in Nanyuki, a vital hub where UK soldiers train and prepare for operations around the globe.
The UK currently has around 230 military personnel based permanently in Kenya, most of them at BATUK, with thousands more visiting the country every year to take part in joint exercises. Over the past two years, the British Army and the Kenyan Defense Force have conducted 10 joint training exercises there, involving around 1,500 Kenyan troops and 10,000 British troops.
The UK is committed to security with Kenya, an important economic partner with strong links to the UK. The UK is the largest cumulative investor in Kenya, with bilateral trade totaling over £1.4 billion as in 2019. Last month Kenya signed a trade deal with the UK to deepen this relationship (bilateral trade).
Source: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/defence-secretary-visits-kenya-and-somalia-to-discuss-al-shabaab
