China has pledged to deepen its military and security cooperation with Kenya, reinforcing a growing strategic partnership aimed at promoting peace, stability and regional security amid escalating global and regional threats. The commitment was announced during celebrations marking the 99th anniversary of the founding of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) in Nairobi, where leaders from both countries reaffirmed their shared commitment to enhancing defence collaboration.
Speaking at the event, Chinese Ambassador to Kenya Guo Haiyan said Beijing was prepared to expand cooperation with Kenya across key security sectors, including peacekeeping, counter-terrorism, maritime security, emergency response and military exchanges. She described Kenya as one of China’s most important security partners in East Africa and praised its longstanding contribution to regional peace efforts and United Nations peacekeeping missions.
Guo commended Kenya’s active role in regional peace processes, humanitarian operations and efforts to combat terrorism, noting that the two countries have built a strong foundation of cooperation over the years. She said collaboration in military training, personnel exchanges, peacekeeping operations, maritime security and emergency rescue had significantly contributed to maintaining peace and stability across East Africa and the Horn of Africa.
The ambassador emphasized China’s readiness to further strengthen bilateral cooperation in peace and security, saying the partnership would support the vision of building a China-Kenya community with a shared future. She noted that closer defence ties would help inject greater stability and prosperity into the Horn of Africa at a time when the international security environment continues to evolve.
Addressing the broader global situation, Guo observed that the world has entered what she described as a period of heightened turbulence marked by geopolitical rivalry, armed conflicts, terrorism, cyber threats, climate change and public health emergencies. She argued that sustainable security cannot be achieved through military alliances, unilateral actions or power politics, but instead requires dialogue, multilateral cooperation and mutual respect among nations.
The Chinese envoy also defended her country’s military modernization, stressing that China’s defence policy remains peaceful and defensive. She maintained that Beijing’s military development is intended solely to safeguard national sovereignty and security while contributing to regional and international peace. Guo further reaffirmed that China has no intention of pursuing hegemony, territorial expansion or spheres of influence, while highlighting the country’s Global Security Initiative, which promotes respect for national sovereignty, adherence to the United Nations Charter and peaceful resolution of disputes through dialogue.
Representing Kenya, Vice Chief of the Defence Forces Lt. Gen. John Omenda reaffirmed Nairobi’s commitment to strengthening defence relations with China. He said cooperation between the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) and the PLA has continued to expand through military diplomacy, professional training, logistical support, peace support operations, disaster response, humanitarian assistance and other areas of shared security interest. He added that Kenya’s Ministry of Defence remains committed to broadening the partnership in ways that support the country’s defence priorities while delivering mutual benefits.
The reception, attended by senior military officers, diplomats and invited guests, underscored the growing strategic relationship between Kenya and China at a time of increasing regional and global security challenges. As both nations seek to strengthen cooperation in defence, peacekeeping and counter-terrorism, the expanded partnership reflects a shared commitment to promoting peace, enhancing regional stability and addressing emerging security threats across East Africa and beyond.
