Kenya, Germany pursue defence cooperation agreement amid security talks
By Cy Muganda, January 21, 2026Defence Cabinet Secretary Soipan Tuya has revealed that Kenya is pursuing a Defence Cooperation Agreement with Germany as part of efforts to deepen strategic partnership between the two nations on peace and security matters.
In a statement posted on her X account on Wednesday, January 21, 2026, following high-level talks with Federal Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Federal Republic of Germany, Dr Johann Wadephul, and his high-level delegation at the Humanitarian Peace Support School in Embakasi, Tuya said the partnership remains anchored in shared commitment to peace, international cooperation, and collective security.
“Earlier this afternoon, I hosted Federal Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Federal Republic of Germany, Dr Johann Wadephul, and his high-level delegation, including H.E. Sebastian Groth, German Ambassador to Kenya, and Ambassador Gesa Brautigam, Deputy Director General for Sub-Saharan Africa, at the Humanitarian Peace Support School, Embakasi,” she said.
“Kenya and Germany’s strategic partnership remains anchored in a shared commitment to peace, international cooperation, and collective security. Germany has been instrumental in supporting peacekeeping operations and capacity building within the Kenya Defence Forces,” Tuya added.
Germany’s training support
According to Tuya, the visit highlighted Germany’s commitment to strengthening Kenya’s training capabilities in the face of evolving security threats, particularly those affecting peace support missions across the region.
“This visit underscores Germany’s commitment to enhancing our training capabilities and addressing evolving security challenges,” she stated.
The Defence CS acknowledged Germany’s support to the International Peace Support Training Centre, citing the Humanitarian Peace Support School Counter-IED Training Complex commissioned in April 2025 as a key milestone in the partnership.
According to the Defence CS, the facility has already trained significant numbers of personnel and is enhancing the ability of Kenya and the wider region to respond to contemporary threats in peace operations.
“I acknowledge Germany’s invaluable support to the International Peace Support Training Centre (IPSTC), particularly the HPSS Counter-IED Training Complex commissioned in April 2025, which has already trained significant numbers of personnel,” Tuya said.
She noted that the state-of-the-art complex is strengthening preparedness against emerging security risks, including the threat of improvised explosive devices, which continue to pose challenges in peacekeeping environments.
“This state-of-the-art facility bolsters Kenya’s and the region’s capacity to counter contemporary threats in peace operations,” CS Tuya noted.
Expanded cooperation plans
Tuya said the Ministry of Defence remains committed to deepening cooperation with Germany, with discussions now extending beyond training to include research collaboration and equipment acquisition.
She added that the proposed Defence Cooperation Agreement would provide a structured framework to guide and expand future engagements between the two countries.
“The Ministry of Defence remains committed to deepening our partnership with Germany, including pursuing a Defence Cooperation Agreement and expanding collaboration in training, research, and equipment acquisition,” she stated.