The U.S. and Kenyan defense officials met at the Pentagon on Wednesday 4th May 2022 to assess the military relationship between the two countries.
Celeste Wallander, the assistant secretary of defense for international security affairs, and Chidi Blyden, the deputy assistant secretary of defense for African affairs, met with Kenya officials led by the Defense Secretary and Chief of Kenya Defense Forces.
The Pentagon defense forum was aimed at looking for new ways to strengthen the bilateral relationship between the two countries and subsequently increase defense cooperation.
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.
The talks revolved on a range of crucial topics; including the regional security, cybersecurity and security cooperation as well as the mission of U.S. Africa Command. Also discussed was the status of the partnership program between Kenya and the Massachusetts National Guard.
U.S. troops have worked very closely with Kenyan troops for years and the more so, the troops from the two countries have been working together in the fight against jihadist groups, Al-Shabaab and Islamic State in Somalia.
Kenyan troops have participated in many U.S. Africa Command military exercises and served alongside American troops in U.N. operations.
Its notable that the Kenyan officials were among those in attendance at the Ukraine Security Consultative Group meeting at Ramstein Air Base in Germany. Kenya was one of four African nations to attend the meeting of more than 40 nations.
In a written press release, the officials reiterated that U.S. and Kenya defense intend to continue a strong military/defense partnership going forward.
