Embrace modern technology to combat security challenges, President Uhuru Kenyatta tells KDF

Nakuru, Kenya: President Uhuru Kenyatta has urged the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) to embrace modern technology to combat security challenges.

He said rapid technological changes required innovative skills to deal with challenges posed by terrorism, religious extremism and intolerance.

“These challenges demand innovative approaches. The first is to advance the knowledge and skills of our officers, so that as leaders they can understand and respond to the challenges of a world awash with terrorism, religious extremism and intolerance,” he said.

The President spoke when he presided over the commissioning of officer cadets at the Kenya Military Academy in Lanet, Nakuru County. The officers form the second group of cadets under the Bachelor of Science in Military Studies degree programme that commenced in October 2011.

He said the military studies degree programme offered at the academy is aimed at equipping officer cadets with the knowledge and skills that will strengthen their effectiveness as commanders and leaders of the KDF.

“I wish to commend the partnership between Kenyatta University and the Ministry of Defence, which has seen the successful implementation of the Bachelor of Science in Military Studies degree programme and the launch of the Masters of Science in Strategic Studies degree programme,” he said.

The programme, he added, gives cadets a broad liberal education designed to produce versatile, creative and critical thinkers who will be quick to adjust to the rapid changes and challenges they faced in their careers.

President Kenyatta said the programme has also been revised to tackle the challenges faced in the initial implementation and to also adapt to the changing challenges that relate to security.

“I am glad to see that after the first cycle of the degree training, which culminated in eight officers earning first class honours, the programme has now been reviewed. Those who stand before us are the products of this even more rigorous training,” the President added.

President Kenyatta, who earlier opened a modern Cadets’ messing and accommodation building at the military academy, said Kenyans deeply appreciated the work of the Kenya Defense Forces in operation LINDA NCHI.

He lauded Kenyan military personnel for their effective role in United Nations peacekeeping missions across the world, saying that was enough proof of the respect the country's uniformed forces earned from the United Nations and the Security Council.

“Confidence shown in our troops by our people, as well as our friends and neighbours shows the high standard of our military training and professionalism we have attained,” he said.

He welcomed the military’s cooperation with neighbours and friends in the region, particularly Uganda, Tanzania and Rwanda in diverse training programmes.

“I congratulate the officers from these countries who are commissioning today, and, with brotherly affection, wish them the very best in their careers,” the President said.

He added: “Let me also note with appreciation that the number of female officers commissioned today is larger than in previous intakes. This goes to show my Government’s commitment to equal opportunity for every Kenyan.”

The President reminded Kenya Defence Forces of its responsibility to defend the country’s national sovereignty and territorial integrity with high levels of professionalism and ethics.

President Kenyatta said: “Your success will depend on your integrity, your discipline and your loyalty not only to the country and the government as prescribed in the oath of allegiance you have just sworn, but also to your superiors, peers and subordinates.”

 “Kenyans have bestowed a great trust upon each of you. Their hope is that you will never betray that trust,” he added.

The President said KDF remained a symbol of the country’s nationhood and a model of integration.

“The relationship between members drawn from diverse communities of Kenya, living and working together for a common national goal is a manifestation of what our country has the potential to be. If only we set aside our divisions," President Kenyatta said.

He, once more, paid tribute to officers who have fallen in the line of duty, saying their example of dedication will always live in Kenyans’ memory.