1ST PLENARY OF THE CONTACT GROUP ON ILLICIT MARITIME ACTIVITIES

We were privileged to host the 1st Plenary of the Contact Group on Illicit Maritime Activities (CGIMA) chaired by the Cabinet Secretary for Defence, Hon Aden Bare Duale EGH.
PLENARY 1
The dialogue focused on specific areas for collaboration and put forward proposals for capacity building, where needed. It encompassed climate change and its connection to maritime crimes, aiming to pinpoint key areas for intervention.PLENARY 6
This will contribute to sustainable exploitation of the blue space that would deter and reduce the impetus for the surge in illicit maritime activities.
In his speech, Hon Aden Duale reiterated Kenya’s commitment to the global community by ensuring maritime safety and security through active dialogue, interventions, regional capacity building, and possible areas of coordination of operations.
As an institution hosting this event amplified our commitment to issues of maritime security and Maritime Domain Awareness in general. This is evidenced by the courses that we conduct on Maritime Security and Blue Economy. The courses are conducted in three tiers namely: Introduction, Integrated and Strategic levels.
PLENARY 7
Key participants in today’s meeting were the USA, the Shipping industry represented by BIMCO/OCIMF, UNODC, COMESA, International Organization for Migration (IOM), International Maritime Organization (IMO), EUNAVFOR, and CMF. Also present were countries that include India, Seychelles, Madagascar, the Federal Republic of Somalia, and other maritime experts.
PLENARY 8

5TH AFRICA COUNTER IMPROVISED EXPLOSIVE DEVICES WORKING GROUP

The 5th Africa Counter Improvised Explosive Devices working group, kicked off at the Humanitarian Peace Support School. IPSTC in partnership with British Peace Support Team - Africa and UNMAS planned the working group with the aim of building on the efforts of the past four years and enhancing the understanding of the complex environment in which IEDs are deployed.
 
The three-day working group participants are drawn from senior personnel involved in policy development with C-IED-related backgrounds. Some of whom include those involved with Internal Security and Defence ministries, top management in peacekeeping missions, and International organizations such as the UN, AU, and IGAD. African troop-contributing countries such as MONUSCO, ATMIS, MINUSCA, and MINUSMA also have representatives in the working group. Niger, Chad, Egypt, South Africa, Malawi, Djibouti, Guinea, Uganda, Burundi, Burkina Faso, and Kenya, all have representation at the working group.
 
C IED WG 2023 1 1
 
At the opening ceremony, Principal Secretary Ministry of Defence, Hon Patrick Mariru presided over the occasion as the chief guest. In his speech, the PS affirmed the incessant commitment of the Kenyan Government toward global peace and security. Also in attendance was the ACDF in charge of Operations, Plans, Doctrine, and Training, Maj General Leuria. In his speech, he cited some of the milestones KDF has achieved regarding supporting the fight against Improvised Explosive Devices. Overseeing the development of partnership arrangements with world-leading Counter Improvised Explosive Devices (C-IED)and Explosive Ordnance Devices experts to ensure the validity, sustainability, and currency of the approach used in training, ranked high on the list.
C IED WG 2023 2 1
The opening ceremony coincided with the United Nations International Day of Peace Keepers, and our Director, Brigadier Joyce Sitienei acknowledged the role HPSS’ C-IED wing has played in supporting global efforts in IED threat mitigation. This she said is a result of having trained over 6000 peacekeepers in IED awareness and IED defeat courses as IPSTC. Deputy British High Commissioner to Kenya, Ms. Josephine Gauld, attended the ceremony representing the government of the UK who are the sponsor of the working group. In her speech, Ms. Gauld was cognizant of the importance of nations coming together and working towards a common goal. This she said is in line with this year’s theme; "Enhancing Counter Improvised Explosive Devices capability in support of peacekeeping operations through partnerships."
 
Also, present at the opening ceremony include the UK Defence Attaché Brigadier Ronnie Westerman, the Brigade Commander Combat Engineers Brigade Brigadier Swaleh Said, Commandant HPSS Lt. Col Omao, officers, and service members.
C IED WG 2023 4 1

GERMAN CHANCELLOR H.E OLAF SCHOLZ VISIT TO HPSS

On his official visit to Kenya, the Chancellor of the Federal Republic of Germany H.E. Olaf Scholz paid a visit to our Humanitarian Peace Support School in Embakasi.
 
His government and IPSTC have been in partnership since 2011. As a result, they have sponsored the construction of the Counter Improvised Explosive Devices Complex in our Embakasi campus.
German chancellor 5 2
 
During his visit, he was received by the Director Defence National Security Industries Major General Bernard Waliaula, and our Director Brigadier Joyce Sitienei. He was then given an overview of our mandate by our director and thereafter interacted with participants currently undertaking a course in Explosive Hazardous Awareness Training.
 
German chancellor 2023 1
 
“The tactics used in IED attacks continue to evolve as our adversaries seek to come up with new ways to overcome countermeasures developed. This complex will enhance this scope of training and development which will be aimed at enhancing the performance of individuals who pass through this institution for C-IED training,” Brig Sitienei reiterated in her speech.
 
German chancellor 6 1
 
He was then given a demonstration of the school’s training capacity in countering improvised explosive devices and mine action. The day culminated with an assessment of the progress of the C-IED complex construction.
 
German Chancellor 2023 7 1
 
German chancellor 2023 2
German chancellor 2023 3
 
Also present was the Cabinet Secretary for Mining, Blue Economy & Maritime Affairs Hon Salim Mvurya, Ambassador of Germany to Kenya Mr Sebastian Groth and the Defence Attaché Germany to Kenya Colonel Holger Grossmann.
 
 

Latest News

  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
  • 6
  • 7
  • 8
  • 9
  • 10
  • 11
  • 12
  • 13
  • 14
  • 15
  • 16
  • 17
  • 18
  • 19
  • 20
  • 21
  • 22
  • 23
  • 24