The National Defence University-Kenya (NDU-K) today hosted Mr. Ruben Brekelmans, Minister for Defence of the Royal Kingdom of Netherlands and his delegation, at its main campus in Lanet, Nakuru for an official signing of the Letter of Intent, aimed at strengthening mutual cooperation between NDU-K and the Netherlands Defence Academy (NLDA).

The signing of Letter of Intent is aimed at opening new opportunities for research partnerships, innovation and strengthening the bilateral policy between NLDA and NDU-K, with a specific focus on capacity building through exchange programmes, publications on regional security, emerging threats, joint educational training and exercises.

During the signing, Mr. Brekelmans commended the Kenya Defence Forces and NDU-K’s leadership for establishing the University as both a nationally and internationally recognized institution in proffering quality education and conducting research that safeguards national and international interest. He exuded confidence that the partnership between NDU-K and NLDA will enhance sustainable national growth, climate security, and timely response to emerging threats.
Acknowledging the increasing complexity of global security challenges, he stressed the need for collaborative and coordinated efforts to address them effectively.

Highlighting the growing complexity of security issues, he stressed that these concerns have expanded globally, necessitating a cooperative and coordinated approach to address them effectively.

On his part, NDU-K Vice-Chancellor (VC) Lieutenant General Jimson Mutai, emphasized the importance of strengthening partnerships between national and international institutions. He explained that such collaborations offer valuable insights and solutions to the increasingly complex security challenges facing the world today. 

The VC reiterated the NDU-K’s mandate of training, capacity building and conducting research and innovation in national security and strategy, highlighting that progress in these areas rely on mutual learning through collaboration with relevant institutions.

The signing ceremony  provided the two institutions a forum to learn first-hand lessons and experiences that have steered each to effectively execute their mandates.