Duale tours India with army chiefs for security meetings

Defence CS Aden Duale with Indian counterpart Raksha Mantri in New Delhi, India. [Courtesy]

Kenya and India have signed an MoU that will transform Kenya Shipyard Limited (KSL) to be an anchor company in shipbuilding technology in Africa.

Defence Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale said Goa Shipyard Limited (GSL) from India will give expertise to KSL as it seeks to be a leading ship-building firm.

"I witnessed the signing of the MoU between Kenya Shipyard Limited (KSL) and Goa Shipyard Limited (GSL). This agreement will guide the KSL to sail through and be one of the anchor companies in ship-building technology in Africa," said Mr Duale.

GSL is reputed as one of the most sophisticated shipbuilders in India. It designs, builds and commissions a wide range of vessels for varied applications in defence and commercial sectors.

"During my tour of duty in India I held bilateral talks with India's Defence Minister Raksha Mantri in New Delhi where we discussed a number of defence issues that both countries can mutually support each other to realise mandates of our militaries," said Duale.

He added: "For a long time, Kenya has had a good and long cordial relationship with India going back to the 1960s when our two High Commissions were established in both countries. We acknowledge the support that the Indian government has so far extended to Kenya."

Duale said they also discussed security issues affecting Africa and how both countries can work together for stability that can contribute to economic development.

"I also congratulated the Indian government for their recent achievement of the soft landing of Chandrayaan-3 near Lunar South Pole. They are now the fourth country in the world after the Soviet Union, USA and China to conduct the soft landing on the moon," said Duale.

He was accompanied by Kenya's Ambassador to India Willy Bett, Major General Paul Otieno, Brigadier Edward Rugendo and other senior officers.