The Chief of the Defence Forces (CDF), General Charles Kahariri, signed a Defence Cooperation Agreement with the Chief of the Ethiopian National Defence Forces, Field Marshall Birhanu Jula, at the Ministry of Defence Headquarters in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

The bilateral engagement seeks to establish a structured framework for more efficient, effective, and timely collaboration in addressing contemporary security threats.

It also focuses on advancing joint training, enhancing interoperability, and strengthening mechanisms for rapid intelligence sharing.

In his remarks, General Kahariri emphasized that deepening defence ties between the two nations’ Forces represent an investment in innovation, resilient infrastructure, and industrial capacity.

“This is a clear expression of African self-reliance — mastering our collective fate through cooperation, ingenuity, and shared action,” he said.

Ethiopia Reaffirms Commitment to New Deal

On his part, Field Marshall Jula reaffirmed Ethiopian National Defence Forces’ commitment to the partnership, noting that the agreement reflects the long-standing relationship between the two nations, rooted in shared borders, history, and common challenges.

He expressed confidence that the cooperation will not only strengthen peace and security in both countries but also contribute to the stability and prosperity of the wider region.

KDF Establishment and Roles

The Kenya Defence Forces comprises of the Kenya Army, Kenya Air Force and Kenya Navy.

Kenya Army primary mission of the Army is the defence of the nation against external land based aggression.

The Primary Mission of Kenya Airforce is to defend and maintain sovereignty of Kenya airspace at all times.

Kenya Navy’s Primary Mission is to defend and maintain sovereignty of Kenya WATERS at all times.

The current Kenya Defence Forces were established, and its composition laid out, in Article 241 of the 2010 Constitution of Kenya; the KDF is governed by the Kenya Defence Forces Act of 2012.

The President of Kenya is the commander-in-chief of all the armed forces.

CSF General Charles Kahariri during the signing of the agreement. PHOTO/KDF.