Kenya and the Netherlands have signed a Letter of Intent to boost Defence Cooperation in various areas including Peace Support Operations and AI. The agreement was finalized during the royal visit to Kenya, highlighting commitments to enhance peacekeeping effectiveness and ensure responsible military AI use. The visit also reinforced bilateral ties focusing on judicial independence and ongoing justice reforms in Kenya.
Kenya and the Netherlands have signed a Letter of Intent to enhance Defence Cooperation, focusing on Peace Support Operations, Artificial Intelligence, and Cyber Security. Defence Cabinet Secretary Soipan Tuya stated that both nations aim to improve the effectiveness of intelligence-led peacekeeping missions globally. The agreement aims to enable both countries to collaborate on military applications of AI responsibly.
The formalization of this agreement occurred during the state visit of King Willem-Alexander and Queen Máxima of the Netherlands to the International Peace Support Training Centre (IPSTC) in Karen. In preparation for their arrival, CS Tuya conducted a bilateral meeting with Dutch Defence Minister Ruben Brekelmans to finalize the arrangement.
This collaboration encompasses not only Defence but also Maritime and Climate Security, Military Training, and a mutual exchange of best practices. CS Tuya remarked on the significance of this agreement, highlighting that it reinforces both countries’ commitment to peacekeeping and defence cooperation.
Earlier in the visit, Chief Justice Martha Koome welcomed King Willem-Alexander and Queen Máxima at the Supreme Court Building in Nairobi, further reflecting the strengthening of bilateral relations. During discussions, CJ Koome emphasized the independence of the Judiciary as essential for Kenya’s democracy and stability in protecting citizens’ rights.
Koome reiterated the Judiciary’s dedication to impartiality, cautioning against external interferences that could compromise its integrity. She also presented ongoing justice reforms in Kenya, supported by the Netherlands, such as the establishment of Specialized Sexual and Gender-Based Violence Courts and the Small Claims Court to enhance justice access.
The agreement between Kenya and the Netherlands marks a significant step towards reinforcing defence and security cooperation, particularly in peace operations and the application of technology in military contexts. The state visit of the Dutch royal couple served as a backdrop to strengthen bilateral relations and emphasized the importance of judicial independence and ongoing justice reforms in Kenya, supported by international collaboration.
Original Source: www.kbc.co.ke
