• The two Ministers discussed a cross-section of issues of cooperation within the existing Memorandum of Understanding (MoU).
• Other areas Kenya intends to partner in include counter-piracy and maritime security, exchange of intelligence information.
Image: KDF
Kenya and Italy are on the path to expand and widen their bilateral ties.
On Tuesday, Defence Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale held talks with his Italian counterpart Rt Guido Crosetto.
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.
"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," Duale said.
The CS revealed that under the reviewed Defence Cooperation Agreement, both Kenya and Italy 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.
Other areas Kenya intends to partner in include counter-piracy and maritime security, exchange of intelligence information, military sports, and technical assistance among others.
Image: KDF
The two Defence leaders also 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.
Going further, Duale highlighted that together with Italy's Defence Minister, they explored ways of bolstering cooperation on regional peace and security in the Horn of Africa, support for the Federal Government of Somalia in the war against Alshabaab and the post-ATMIS Security situation in Somalia.
In addition to that, the CS notified his Italian counterpart that Kenya looks forward to tapping Italy's advanced defence industry to reap maximum benefits.
Earlier on the same day, Duale had toured Thales Alenia Space and met its Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Massimo Claudio Comparini.
He notified the CEO that, as a developing nation, Kenya contends with a myriad of challenges around agriculture and food security, environmental monitoring, natural resources management, land and physical planning, disaster management, national security, and the adverse effects and impacts of climate change.
Duale maintained that as a result, Kenya is determined to leverage space technologies and applications to effectively and efficiently address these challenges.
Italy and Kenya have bilateral ties which have bore tight cooperation between the two states
In March 2023, Kenya and Italy signed two agreements that will advance bilateral cooperation between the two states.
President William Ruto said the two agreements will provide a framework for the advancement of bilateral cooperation in different fields.
Italy's President Sergio Mattarella was in Kenya at that moment for a four-day official visit.
The first MoU saw the two countries cooperate in the field of Health, towards the realisation of Universal Health Coverage and improved pharmaceutical production.
In the other agreement, Kenya and Italy agreed on bilateral consultations that would establish and set guidelines for the conduct of political consultations at the respective ministries of foreign affairs.
Italy and Kenya also agreed to collaborate bilaterally, at the United Nations and other multilateral forums, on the basis of the convergence of values, principles and positions, to promote peace and security, trade, health, climate action and the elimination of hunger and malnutrition.
The CS was accompanied by Kenya's Ambassador to Italy Amb Jackline Yonga, the Managing Director of Defence National Security Industries (DNSI) Major General Bernard Waliaula.