Africa-Press – Kenya. Kenya and China have reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening military cooperation, with both nations highlighting shared goals in regional security, capacity building, and peacekeeping during a high-profile event marking the 98th anniversary of the People’s Liberation Army (PLA).
The celebrations, held at the Chinese Embassy in Kenya, brought together senior military officials, diplomats, and defense representatives, signaling a renewed push for deeper bilateral defense ties.
Chinese Ambassador to Kenya Guo Haiyan delivered a keynote address emphasizing the PLA’s role as a cornerstone of global peace.
She restated China’s willingness to expand military collaboration with Kenya.
The ambassador recounted the PLA’s historic contributions, from securing China’s sovereignty to supporting international stability.
Haiyan further underscored PLA’s modern transformation into a technologically advanced force.
“The PLA has the confidence and capability to safeguard national sovereignty and contribute to world peace,” she said, linking China’s military progress to its broader vision of a “community with a shared future for mankind.”
Ambassador Guo also tied the anniversary to the 80th commemoration of the World Anti-Fascist War victory, urging nations to uphold the postwar international order embodied by the United Nations.
“Major countries must lead by example in respecting international law,” she asserted, in a veiled critique of unilateralism.
Haiyan positioned China as a defender of multilateralism while showcasing its military as a force for global good, particularly through initiatives like the Global Security Initiative and expanded peacekeeping roles in Africa.
Kenya Army Commander David Keter, for his part, lauded the PLA as a model of professionalism.
He praised the deepening ties between the two militaries.
“Our partnership is built on mutual respect and shared strategic interests,” he said, noting Kenya’s gains from PLA-sponsored training programs, joint exercises, and technology transfers.
More than 1,000 Kenyan officers have participated in PLA-hosted courses since 2012, with recent collaborations focusing on counterterrorism, disaster response, and maritime security.
The areas are critical for Kenya as it confronts threats from Al-Shabaab and regional instability. Commander Keter highlighted cultural exchanges as an underrated pillar of the relationship, with Kenyan troops visiting Chinese bases and PLA delegations engaging with Kenya’s military history.
“These interactions transcend drills and equipment; they build trust,” he said.
The goodwill was evident as he recounted joint efforts in peacekeeping and China’s support for Kenya’s military modernisation, including the donation of armored vehicles and surveillance gear in 2023. The speeches revealed a strategic alignment that China seeks to solidify its role as Africa’s top security partner, while Kenya aims to diversify its defense alliances beyond traditional Western partners.
China has taken an approach of blending hardware provisions with soft-power initiatives like training. For Kenya, the partnership offers a path to bolstering its counterterrorism capabilities amid strained funding.
The event concluded with pledges to elevate cooperation, including potential PLA deployments to Kenya for joint anti-piracy drills and expanded roles in African Union peace operations.
As Kenya navigates complex security challenges, its revamped ties with China signal a calculated bet on Beijing’s growing influence in African defense, a relationship now poised to shape regional stability in the years ahead.
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