The Chief of the Defence Forces (CDF), General Charles Kahariri, has reaffirmed Kenya’s strong defence relations with Rwanda and called for deeper regional cooperation and innovation to address Africa’s evolving security landscape.
During a three-day official visit to Rwanda from 5–7 November 2025, General Kahariri held separate meetings with Rwanda’s Minister of Defence, Honourable Juvenal Marizamunda, and the Chief of Defence Staff of the Rwanda Defence Force (RDF), General Mubarakh Muganga, at RDF Headquarters in Kigali.
The discussions focused on strengthening bilateral defence cooperation, with both sides agreeing to renew and expand the existing Defence Cooperation Agreement to include new areas such as technology integration and joint innovation.
Minister Marizamunda lauded the enduring friendship between Nairobi and Kigali, recalling Kenya’s vital role in rebuilding Rwanda’s defence capacity after the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi. He commended the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) for its continued support in professionalising the RDF through specialised training programmes.
Echoing his remarks, General Muganga highlighted the dynamic regional security environment and called for deeper collaboration to counter emerging threats. He credited KDF mentorship for shaping the RDF into one of Africa’s most capable and professional forces, now a leading contributor to peacekeeping missions across the continent.
General Kahariri praised RDF’s transformation and its embrace of technology in defence operations, describing it as a model for modern military preparedness. “Innovation is now as critical as discipline on the battlefield,” he noted, reaffirming KDF’s readiness to work closely with RDF in sustaining regional peace and stability.
Earlier, General Kahariri paid tribute to the victims of the 1994 Genocide during a solemn wreath-laying ceremony at the Kigali Genocide Memorial and toured the Campaign Against Genocide Museum. He described both sites as powerful reminders of the armed forces’ enduring duty to protect civilians and uphold peace.
At the Rwanda Defence Force Command and Staff College (RDFCSC) in Nyakinama, General Kahariri delivered a lecture titled “Positioning Africa in a Multipolar World: The Role of the Military in Africa’s Security and Development Amid Global Power Dynamics.”
Addressing senior officers from Rwanda and allied nations, the CDF urged African militaries to redefine their roles beyond traditional defence functions by shaping environments that foster security, stability, and economic growth. He emphasised the importance of leveraging defence diplomacy as a tool for regional integration and shared prosperity.
“The military must help create conditions for economic advancement while remaining agile against asymmetric and hybrid threats,” he said, adding that Africa’s progress depends on synergy between diplomacy, information, military, and economic power.
General Kahariri further underscored the need for enhanced cyber resilience, rapid crisis communication, and inter-agency cooperation to safeguard national interests in an era of disinformation. He also advocated for stronger regional collaboration through frameworks like the African Standby Force to ensure readiness and interoperability.
He commended RDFCSC for nurturing professional military leaders and fostering continental cooperation through shared learning, reaffirming Kenya’s commitment to working with Rwanda and other African nations to build a secure, stable, and prosperous continent.
General Kahariri was accompanied by Major General A. M. Burje, Director of Military Intelligence, and Brigadier R. M. Makori, Chief of Strategic Plans and Policy.
Add Comment