A distinguished cohort of senior military officers and public sector leaders from Kenya and allied countries has commenced a year-long programme in strategic leadership, national security and defence studies at the National Defence College (NDC), a college of the National Defence University-Kenya (NDU-K).

The participants of NDC Course 29 comprise senior officers from the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF), Government Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), State agencies, as well as military officers and senior government officials from allied countries. Collectively, they bring extensive operational, policy and leadership experience to one of the region's premier programmes in national security and strategic studies.

Welcoming the participants at the University's seat in Lanet, Nakuru County, the Vice Chancellor, Lieutenant General David Tarus, congratulated them on their admission to the highly competitive programme, noting that their nomination reflected the confidence their respective governments and institutions had placed in their leadership potential.

"You are embarking on one of the most significant milestones in your professional careers," the Vice Chancellor said. "This journey will prepare you for higher responsibilities in strategic leadership, national security policy, defence management and statecraft."

The Vice Chancellor described NDU-K as Kenya's premier institution for higher learning in security and strategic studies, established to build national capacity through professional military education, academic programmes, research and innovation. He noted that the National Defence College remains the University's flagship institution for strategic education, where Course 29 participants will pursue the National Security and Strategy Programme at Diploma, Postgraduate Diploma or Master's level, depending on their academic qualifications and admission criteria.

The programme is designed to broaden strategic perspectives, strengthen policy analysis and prepare senior leaders for responsibilities at the highest levels of national and international decision-making. Participants were encouraged to leverage the multinational composition of the course by engaging actively in intellectual discourse, appreciating diverse perspectives and building lasting professional networks across the military, government and partner nations.

As they embark on the year-long programme, the participants will engage in rigorous academic study, strategic research and policy analysis while exchanging knowledge and experiences drawn from their diverse professional backgrounds. The programme provides a unique platform for strengthening strategic thinking, fostering regional and international cooperation, and preparing senior leaders to address contemporary and emerging security challenges.