Kenya, India in deal to step up maritime security

The maritime security is set to receive a boost following an agreement between Kenya and India armed forces.

The Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) says it will establish a partnership with India Armed Forces in the maritime securityand counter terrorism.

The agreement was made during a visit to India by Chief of Defence Forces General Robert Kibochi following an invitation by India counterpart Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) General Bipin Rawat.

The two agreed to work together in defence, research, specialised medical training and set up collaboration in advanced training in cyber security, artificial intelligence and quantum technologies.

The deliberations also focused on India–Kenya shared access and responsibility to ensure security in the Indian Ocean through information sharing to counter piracy and naco-terrorism.

"Kenya and India Defence Forces have a history of friendship that goes over many decades since independence. The two nations have exchanged training facilitators and students invariably," KDF said in a statement.

Kenya, it noted, has also benefitted by having officers and service members attend specific military courses from institutions in India.

"During the visit, both the CDF and the CDS underscored their highest consideration and assurance to support staff exchanges, expertise, knowledge and practice sharing, training of young, junior and midlevel officers and service members, participation in combined training exercises, capacity and capability building," added the statement.

The enhanced partnership between Kenya and India is in line with a Memorandum of Understanding on Defence Cooperation, which came into force in 2016.

The CDF visit to India comes at a time when bilateral relationships between India and Kenya are poised for deeper engagement.

Last year India naval officers visited Mombasa for a three-day training which was also aimed at enhancing bilateral ties, “strengthening the existing bonds of friendship and reinforcing cooperation in maritime security between India and Kenya”.

During the visit, the officers shared experiences of naval operations including combating threats of maritime terrorism and piracy. In 2018, Kenya also struck a deal with India to boost the maritime surveillance and share security intelligence on terrorism threats. The agreement was reached during President Uhuru Kenyatta’s visit to India.