Inside Duale's meeting with Italy's Defence Minister in Rome

Kenyan Defence Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale on Tuesday held bilateral talks with his Italian counterpart Right Honourable Guido Crosetto in Rome aimed at enhancing the two nations' defence cooperation.

The two ministers discussed a cross-section of issues of cooperation within the existing Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), a framework signed by the two countries in February 2012 which the two countries are in the process of reviewing to enhance their defence cooperation.

Under the reviewed Defence Cooperation Agreement, Kenya and Italy shall collaborate in security and defence policy, research and development, peace support operations, training and education as well as military medical services.

The pact also envisages counter-piracy and maritime security, the exchange of intelligence information, military sports, and technical assistance between Kenya and Italy.

Fast track

"The Kenyan side having reviewed the MoU and forwarded it to the Italians for consideration, the Minister promised to fast track and expedite the signing of the same," CS Aden said.

Kenyan Defence Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale with his Italian counterpart Right Honourable Guido Crosetto in Rome, Italy on 14 November 2023. (Photo: X/KDF)

"Under the reviewed Defence Cooperation Agreement, we shall have a robust collaboration in security and defence policy, research and development, peace support operations, training and education as well as military medical services."

Aden and his host further explored ways of bolstering potential future cooperation in the field of counter-terrorism and counter-violent extremism, cybersecurity, exploitation of the Blue Economy and high-level diplomatic visits.

Aden said the ties were enhanced following the State visit to Kenya by Italian President, H.E Sergio Mattarella in March this year where he held talks with his host, President William Ruto during a four-day official visit.

During the talks, the CS was accompanied by Kenya’s Ambassador in Italy Jackline Yonga, the Managing Director of Defence National Security Industries (DNSI) Major General Bernard Waliaula and the Director General of the Kenya Space Agency (KSA) Brigadier Hillary Kipkosgey and Kenya’s Deputy Head of Mission to Italy Ms. Consolata Maina.

During his visit to Rome, the CS held talks with the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Thales Alenia Space Italia Mr Massimo Claudio Comparini.

Kenyan Defence Cabinet Secretary during a visit at the Thales Alenia Space Italia on 15 November 2023. (Photo: KDF)

The Thales Alenia is one of the global leaders in providing high-tech space-related solutions for telecommunications, navigation, Earth Observation, and environmental management, among others.

The CS said Kenya is determined to leverage on space technologies and applications to effectively and efficiently address these challenges.

Aden and Comparini explored viable partnerships on Earth Observation solutions for defence and security applications, broadband communication and developing Kenyan human and technical capacity in space systems engineering and space-derived data analytics among others.