President Uhuru Kenyatta on Wednesday visited the multi-agency team of Kenyan security officers undertaking a joint operational training in Boni Forest, Lamu County.
According to State House, the Field Training Exercise (FTX), is part of a broad Whole-of-Government approach to the delivery of security services by leveraging on interoperability of Kenya's security assets.
The FTX is coordinated by the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF). It brings together troops from the different security formations in the country among them Kenya Police Service (NPS), National Youth Service (NYS), Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS), Kenya Forest Service (KFS) and Kenya Coast Guard (KCG).
The training aims to attain high levels operational efficiency among the different security agencies.
At the camp, the President witnessed drills by officers who've been training for three weeks and taken on a guided tour by Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) Gen Robert Kibochi.
In his address to the officers, Uhuru said he was pleased by the training and noted that the multi-agency approach would help enhance the effectiveness of the country's security apparatus.
"I am happy that this multi-agency training has taken place. This is a very important message. As the Forces get to know each other and to collaborate in the training," he said.
Uhuru said Kenya will continue to guard its borders and cautioned unnamed external forces against disrespecting the country's territorial integrity.
"We will not accept any one claiming ownership of any part of our land. Just as we have respected boundaries of other countries, we expect that our borders and land are equally respected," the President said adding that, Kenya is a peace-loving nation.
"As a country we love peace, we are a country that loves to live in peace with its neighbours. Hence why we have been part of various peace support initiatives in other countries."
The Head of State congratulated the troops for taking up the training, and thanked them for the various social projects aimed at uplifting the wellbeing of host communities.
"I would also like to thank you all for participating in this training and also for the social responsibility that you have participated in. Restoring hospitals, drilling bore holes, renovating schools and offering medical interventions. These gestures go a long way in changing the mindset and perception of the security agencies among wananchi," he said.
The President assured the officers of the Government's support by taking care of their welfare, and urged the multi-agency team led by KDF to keep improving the training so as to make it more effective.
"I would like to urge the authorities involved to increase and keep modifiying competencies to ensure we are mission ready," the Head of State said.
