Guest of Honour, Major General Martin Ong’oyi during the Defence Staff College cultural day being briefed on Tanzanian Culture by Major J J Mwemezi from Tanzania Defence Forces.

The Defence Staff College (DSC) on 01 February 2020 marked its Cultural Day in Karen, Nairobi.

Officers studying at the college prepared their respective country presentations and cultural exhibitions. This included food, dressing, songs and dances besides performances by various bands and cultural dance groups. The guests were entertained by Maasai Warriors troupe, Rwanda troupe, Coast/North Eastern troupe, Marsabit County troupe, Burundi and Uganda as well as Central, Eastern and Western Kenya troupes.

During his address, Commandant DSC, Major General Martin Ong’oyi congratulated the course participants and the entire organizing committee for making the event a success and also highlighted the importance of culture and tradition in the military.

“We should not celebrate our culture theoretically or should not be about our colour or origin but it should be about embracing our diversity in cultures and traditions and share our friendship as one African nation,” said the Commandant.

The course brought together 59 Officer students from ten partner countries namely: Kenya, Uganda, Burundi, Malawi, Egypt, South Africa, Rwanda, Botswana, Tanzania and Zambia.

The DSC Cultural Day is part of an annual tradition which gives students the opportunity to experience cultural diversity by showcasing their artefacts, traditional foods and dances that play a vital role in integrating African countries through culture and strengthening their military corporation which is in line with this year’s theme, ‘Integrating Africa Through Culture.’

DSC is a Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) sponsored institution charged with the responsibilities of preparing selected Officers from East African countries on command and ensure they become better leaders in their various capacities in the military and society at large so that they assist the military carry out its core mandate of safeguarding and protecting our territorial integrity.

Present during the event were Senior Military Officers, Defence Attaches, members of the Diplomatic Corps, Military Officers, Service Members and KDF family members.

Burundian cultural dancers entertain guests during the 2020 cultural day at the Defence Staff College in Karen, Nairobi.

Major General Martin Ong’oyi receives a gift from Lt Col M M Tumwijukye of Uganda.

Maasai Cultural Dancers welcome the college’s commandant Major General Martin Ong’oyi for a dance.

Rwandese cultural dancers entertain guests during the 2020 cultural day at the Defence Staff College in Karen, Nairobi.