The U.S. military’s Africa Command (AFRICOM) turned over KES220 million (USD $1.38 million) of state-of-the-art, personal protective equipment to the Kenyan Defence Forces (KDF) today at Kahawa Barracks. The grant includes 6,730 pieces of cutting-edge equipment that will enhance the safety and capabilities of the KDF service members.
The comprehensive donation includes soft body armor and ballistic helmets designed to protect against small arms fire, as well as ballistic plates designed to withstand heavier ammunition. These advanced protective items are essential for ensuring the security and effectiveness of Kenya’s military personnel. The equipment will provide enhanced defense capabilities during ongoing counterterrorism and peacekeeping operations.
“I can’t overemphasize the goodwill that is here in this partnership. What is left is for us at the tactical and operational level is to do much more. At strategic level, we have good support from the United States,” said General Officer Commanding (GOC) Eastern Command, Major General Juma Mwinyika.
The shipment, arrived in Kenya on January 22, and was transferred to the Kenyan Defence Forces today, reinforcing Kenya’s capabilities and readiness to address evolving security challenges in the region.
“We are proud to complete this grant of protective equipment to our partners in the Kenya Defence Forces. This donation underscores the United States’ commitment to supporting the security efforts of our international partners and fostering a free, open, and stable international order,” said Major General Kenneth Ekman at U.S. AFRICOM. “We’re honored to be able to fulfill one of the Kenya Defence Forces’ priority requests to U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin during his recent historic visit in September 2023, the first visit to Kenya by a U.S. Secretary of Defense in 47 years.”
This initiative demonstrates the U.S. commitment to partnering with Kenya to ensure regional peace and stability. The United States remains committed to working collaboratively with African partners to promote security, prosperity, and the well-being of people across the continent.
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