Representatives from Kenya’s National Defence College (NDC) recently visited the United States Army War College (USAWC) in Carlisle, Pennsylvania, to strengthen strategic-level professional military education and reinforce collaboration in military training and leadership development.
War College officials shared insights on joint and interagency education, civil-military relations and the integration of ethics into leadership development. Officials from the two colleges also discussed opportunities for deeper collaboration, including faculty exchange programs, joint research initiatives and continued dialogue on military education innovation.
“Exposure to global best practices ensures that NDC remains responsive to emerging security challenges,” Col. Henry Mwenemeru, who led the visit on behalf of NDC Commandant Gen. Juma Mwinyikai, said in a report on the Kenyans.co.ke news website.
The NDC’s February 3 visit is part of bilateral security cooperation efforts between the two countries.
On February 5, Kenya’s Chief of the Defence Forces, Gen. Charles Kahariri, welcomed Lt. Gen. John Brennan, deputy commander of U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM), in Nairobi to discuss ways to improve Kenya’s operational readiness and joint response to emerging security threats. They also examined capacity building, strengthening defense systems across the region and training opportunities.
“During the visit, the two leaders held wide-ranging discussions focused on strengthening bilateral defence relations, jointly addressing emerging and evolving security threats, and enhancing cooperation in training, capacity building, and operational readiness,” the KDF said in a statement.
Kahariri said in the statement that continued collaboration between the two militaries is critical in tackling security challenges that affect Kenya, the Horn of Africa and the rest of the continent. Kahariri also highlighted Kenya’s ongoing defense modernization programs and underscored the importance of international partnerships in addressing evolving security threats.
In August 2025, Kahariri and then-commander of AFRICOM Gen. Michael Langley issued a joint statement that called on African countries to coordinate efforts to strengthen security partnerships.
“We can revitalize multilateralism, working to overcome increasing distrust amongst member states, geopolitical tensions and the risk of group indecision,” the statement read. “No one country can address terrorism, pandemic prevention and the handling of humanitarian crises on its own. These shared threats demand shared responses.”
Kenya’s military, AFRICOM and partner countries aim to advance peace, stability and security across the continent by promoting regional cooperation and collaborating with civil society, the private sector, academia and community leaders.
Other priorities outlined in the joint statement:
- Capitalize on innovation: Leverage technology to counter new tactics from terrorist groups and cyberattacks and other disruptive tactics by emerging threat actors.
- Strengthen defense institutions: Train forces, improve multiagency operations and reinforce civil-military relations.
- Promote African leadership:Secure the continent by advancing African-led, whole-of-society approaches with targeted partner support.
