Professional military education has become an important instrument of defence diplomacy, enabling defence forces to exchange strategic perspectives, share operational experience and build relationships that strengthen collective responses to evolving security challenges.
On 28 September 2026, Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) hosted a 25-member delegation from the Zambia Command and Staff College for a study tour in Nairobi, reinforcing military-to-military cooperation and professional knowledge exchange between Kenya and Zambia.
Led by Colonel Charles Chembo, the delegation paid a courtesy call on the Vice Chief of the Defence Forces (VCDF), Lieutenant General John Omenda, at Defence Headquarters. Discussions focused on areas of mutual interest and opportunities to deepen defence cooperation between the KDF and the Zambian Armed Forces.
Welcoming the delegation, the Chief of Training, KDF, Brigadier Alex Nteere, underscored the importance of sustained collaboration in professional military education. He noted that engagements between military training institutions provide valuable opportunities to exchange experiences, strengthen institutional capacity and develop adaptable leaders capable of operating effectively in complex security environments.
During the study tour, the delegation received strategic briefings on the global and regional security environment, Kenya’s strategic profile, national security architecture, defence policy and the KDF’s contribution to regional peace and stability.
The sessions also explored existing Kenya–Zambia defence cooperation and provided a platform for participants to exchange perspectives on contemporary security challenges, military leadership, strategic planning and operational readiness. The briefings concluded with an interactive discussion that enabled participants to share experiences and examine approaches to strengthening professional military practice.
Colonel Chembo noted that the visit formed part of the Zambia Command and Staff College’s strategic engagement programme, designed to expose participants to different approaches and best practices in military leadership and administration across the region.
He emphasised that greater collaboration and knowledge exchange among African armed forces are critical to developing professional, interoperable and mission-ready forces capable of responding to increasingly interconnected security challenges.
The study tour strengthened the longstanding defence relationship between Kenya and Zambia while demonstrating the strategic value of professional military education in advancing defence diplomacy and regional security cooperation.
Through military-to-military engagements, professional education and sustained knowledge exchange, the KDF continues to strengthen partnerships that enhance institutional capacity, interoperability and collective preparedness in addressing contemporary and emerging security challenges.
Add Comment