Italy has joined a queue of countries tying up defence cooperation deals with Kenya, as Nairobi expands collaboration on security and blue economy. On Monday, Kenya and Italy signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on defence cooperation, marking what officials described as a significant step in strengthening bilateral strategic relations. Kenya’s Prime Cabinet Secretary and Cabinet Secretary for Foreign and Diaspora Affairs Musalia Mudavadi confirmed the deal in a post on his official X account on Monday, saying it was concluded alongside Italy’s Defence Minister Guido Crosetto during an official visit by President William Ruto to Rome.“Together with Italy’s Minister of Defence, Rt-Hon Guido Crosetto, we signed a Memorandum of Understanding on defence cooperation, marking a key step in strengthening Kenya–Italy strategic relations,” he said. An MoU is often a first start toward a formal bilateral agreement into a particular focus area. But it gives Nairobi some kind of direction on how future discussions in defence will be structured. Mr Mudavadi said the agreement establishes a structured framework for cooperation between the two countries’ defence institutions. It will focus on capacity building, military training and institutional exchange programmes, aimed at strengthening professional ties between the armed forces. Italy isn’t the first country to tie that up with Kenya.In fact, Kenya has in recent times steadily built a wide network of defence cooperation agreements with foreign partners, reflecting its role as a security hub in East Africa region. At least seven fully signed defence cooperation agreements are publicly documented, with several more in negotiation or approved in principle. These are arrangements focusing on training, counter-terrorism, intelligence sharing, and maritime security. Up to 15 countries are either engaged in or negotiating similar arrangements. Mr Mudavadi said the partnership with Italy is expected to enhance Kenya’s contribution to regional and global peace and security, while deepening bilateral relations between Nairobi and Rome. The agreement also seeks to advance what both sides describe as shared strategic interests, particularly in security cooperation and defence development.Kenya’s strongest military ties remain with the UK and the US, both centred on counter-terrorism operations, training programmes and intelligence sharing. The UK has been running military training camps in Kenya since independence while the US has a military base in Manda Bay, Lamu, which is currently under expansion to extend length of runway and improve facilities. France has recently joined the list of major partners following a 2025 defence agreement expanding cooperation in maritime security and regional stability in the Indian Ocean.Kenya has also signed agreements with Ethiopia, focusing on border security and regional stability, and Seychelles, where cooperation is centred on maritime security and anti-piracy operations. European partners such as Denmark and the Czech Republic provide support mainly in military training, education and capacity building. On April 2, Kenyan lawmakers also approved additional defence frameworks with countries including Germany, Turkey, Ghana, China and Zimbabwe, signalling a broader diversification of its security partnerships. (ICE NAIROBI)

Fonte notizia: The EastAfrican