A News Letter May - June, 2021

ENGINEERING

President Kenyatta Commissions Kenya Shipyard Limited and the Construction of New Ship Pg.2 President and the President of the Republic of Burundi, Evariste Ndayishimiye jointly flag off the newly refurbished MV Uhuru after it resumed operations at the Kisumu Port on Lake Victoria. The ship ferried fuel to .

President Uhuru Lauds National Defence University Restoration of Kenya KDF for Undertaking Key (NDU-K) Charter Award and Meat Commission Refurbishment on Vehicles Graduation Ceremony The revival of this factory will I applaud the Engineers Corp The University will create a critical mass help farmers some of whom who, within the multi-agency framework of strategic level administrators and waited for four years to get their continue to prove themselves as an policy makers within the Government pay within 72 hours from the efficient and reliable team.Pg. 4 of Kenya, Africa and beyond. Pg. 6 time of delivery. Pg. 9

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resident Uhuru Kenyatta one of the most significant dates and visiting Burundi in the life of a ship as it marks the President General Evariste formal recognition of the start Ndayishimiye have today of the ship’s construction. The 31 May 2021 launched the President welded a coin of Kenyan Kenya Shipyard Limited (KSL) in currency on the keel, a practice PKisumu. observed world over during the Today with my KSL is a Kenya Government owned start of construction of a marine nascent ship building and repair vessel. brother the facility. It was borne out of the President of need for a maritime facility that can “Today with my brother the be able to repair, maintain, refit, President of Burundi have laid keel Burundi have laid construct ship and provide other of the marine vessel MV Uhuru keel of the marine maritime services. (II) which shall be the first ship vessel MV Uhuru to be built at the Kisumu Port for During the event, the President the last 70 years. This vessel shall (II) which shall be also presided over the keel laying support our sister ship which had " the first ship to be of MV Uhuru II whose construction been dilapidated but has been commenced to supplement rehabilitated and has been able built at the Kisumu transportation of cargo and to transport over 50 million litres Port for the last passengers along the lake region of fuel from Kisumu to Uganda and the neighbouring East African thereby reducing the cost of the nations. The keel laying of a ship is price in Uganda due to reduced 70 YEARS

H.E President Uhuru Kenyatta hands Brigadier Paul Otieno the Managing Director, Kenya Shipyards Limited operalisation instruments

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transportation cost,” said the President. The shipyard is expected to be “In pursuant to our development the main hub for ship construction agenda it is clear that the for not only the Kenyan Ministries, exploitation of home waters is key Departments and Agencies but in facilitating trade, industry and also for the entire East African the defence of the country. This region. To achieve this there is an is the reason we formed a plan ongoing dredging at the Kisumu to revamp this once vibrant East Port to enhance the depth of the African commercial port and also lake for better anchorage of bigger the vessel we were able to revive,” maritime vessels. he added. “The construction of MV Uhuru (II) The Head of State lauded the will demonstrate our commitment revival of MV Uhuru which had to identify, harness and grow the been grounded for 13 year but skills needed to build our economy. later rehabilitated by the Kenya In support of the Big Four Agenda, Defence Forces, Kenya Railways the KSL shall catalyze ship building and National Youth Service saying and technology transfer and we it shall stimulate economic growth shall provide opportunity for the in the lake region and promote improvement our operations,” said job creation for the youth. The two the Head of State. heads of states further flagged Regardless of off MV Uhuru for it 51st trip since The President further advised refitting to transport crude oil to farmers in the neighbouring what people are Uganda. counties to take advantage of the saying, I am very revival of the marine operations “Regardless of what people are and the yet to be launched Kisumu- proud to work saying, I am very proud to work rail line to transport their with the KDF, with the KDF, Kenya Railways agricultural produce to enhance Corporation, Kenya Coast their livelihood. Kenya Railways Guard Services and all other "Corporation, stakeholders who were involved in In attendance were Cabinet the refurbishment of this Kisumu Secretaries, the Chief of the Kenya Coast shipyard and the supporting Defence Forces, Principal Guard Services infrastructure. This is a culmination Secretaries and other senior of activities of those who came government officials. and all other before us to grow this facility,” stakeholders President Kenyatta said. who were involved in the refurbishment of this Kisumu shipyard and the supporting infrastructure. This is a culmination of activities of those who came before us to H.E President Uhuru Kenyatta welds a ritual coin during grow this facility the laying of the keel for the construction of MV Uhuru (II) at the Kenya Shipyard Limited at Kisumu.

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ENHANCING KDF CAPABILITIES President Uhuru Lauds KDF for Undertaking Key Refurbishment on Vehicles

resident Uhuru Kenyatta Africa, Mantrac Kenya Limited has applauded the Kenya alongside PRD Rigs Kenya. Defence Forces (KDF) for undertaking a major facelift The President hailed the Ministry on Defence Forces vehicles of Defence for embracing the saying the refurbishment has saved manufacturing pillar of the Big Four PKenyan taxpayers huge sums of National Development agenda I applaud the money. and the ‘Buy Kenya, Build Kenya’ philosophy he spearheads. Military Engineers Speaking during the launch of Corp who, within the vehicles and engineering “I am very happy to join you as equipment at Thika Barracks, the we unveil this equipment. The the multi-agency President said the renovation team undertaking the restoration exercise has given life to what many exercise has given to life what many framework thought had been written off. thought was dead, bringing back into operation equipment which continue to prove The renovation was undertaken would have otherwise been written " themselves as by the electrical and mechanical off,” said President Uhuru. engineering corps in collaboration an efficient and with the local private sector among “This is more remarkable, acquiring them Toyota Kenya, Isuzu East this equipment came at a time reliable team.

4 NewsLetter when Kenya and the whole world disciplined human capital that is I am pleased to report that the was fighting a serious pandemic rooted in professionalism” said the team is very ready, equipped and that has negatively that has CS. trained, it is ready to represent us,” negatively affected the livelihood said the CDF. and security. This capacity we have The Chief of the Defence Forces acquired today shall go a long way (CDF) hailed the local motor He called upon all the undertaking civic and humanitarian vehicle assemblers for heeding the commanders, operators and drivers intervention,” the Commander in call by the MoD and delivering the to take care of the vehicles and Chief of Defence Forces added. services to the required standards. equipment so they can serve many generations to come. The Head of State further He said that the equipment shall commended the military for be instrumental when KDF shall The event was attended by Defence undertaking major renovation be heading to the Democratic Chief Administrative Secretary Hon. of the now operational - Republic of Congo (DRC) on a Peter Odoyo, Principal Secretary Meter Gauge Railway peace-keeping mission. Ibrahim Mohamed, Members of (MGR) that had been rendered the Parliamentary Committee on dormant for close to two decades. “We are grateful that in the process Defence and Foreign Relations, of repairing these equipment, the Army Commander Lieutenant “I applaud the Military Engineers President authorized us to send General Walter Koipaton among Corp who, within the multi- a Quick Reaction Force (QRF) in senior ranking officers at the KDF. agency framework continue to support of peace efforts in the DRC. prove themselves as an efficient and reliable team. They have refurbished the Nairobi-Nanyuki railway line, the Nakuru-Kisumu and refurbishment of vehicles belonging to Nairobi County, improvement of MV-Uhuru and putting it back to work at the Kisumu Port,” he said.

President Uhuru acknowledged the major refurbishment being undertaken by the engineers to develop shipyards in Kisumu and Mtongwe, set to be launched soon.

Defence Cabinet Secretary Ambassador Dr. Monica Juma in her remarks said the refurbishment of the vehicles and equipment is a major boost to mission readiness and mission success.

She said the renovations works were necessitated by their deplorable state occasioned by wear and tear as well as the enemy actions on the equipment over the years.

“The capacity of a defence force in protection of the of any nation lies with its personnel and equipment. A highly motivated soldier coupled with requisite ‘tools of trade’ will endeavor to complete H.E President Uhuru Kenyatta and the Commander in Chief of the Defence the assigned mission irrespective of Forces being taken through the newly refurbished Defence Forces vehicles and the operating environment. In this Engineering Equipment at Thika Barracks, looking on is the Chief of the Defence regard, KDF has one of the most Forces General Robert Kibochi.

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EDUCATION National Defence University (NDU-K) Charter Award and Graduation Ceremony

is Excellency Hon. Uhuru The National Defence University- The Chief of the Defence Forces Gen Kenyatta, (NDU-K) will adopt National Robert Kibochi hands ove a maze to the Republic of Kenya Defence College (NDC), Defence the Commandant National Defence and Commander-in- Staff College (DSC), Kenya Military University - Kenya Lt Gen Adan Mulata Chief of the Defence Academy (KMA), Defence Forces Forces granted charter to the Technical College (DEFTEC) and HNational Defence College (NDC) International Peace Support Training on Thursday, 27 May 2021 in Karen, Centre (IPSTC) of the Ministry of Nairobi. The event was celebrated Defence as University Colleges in conjunction with the NDC Course in Defence and Security Studies. 23-2020/21 graduation ceremony. The National Intelligence Research University College will be the only constituent College of NDU-K.

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The Universities Act 2012, 24 (1) (a) envisages the establishment of a specialized degree-awarding research institution of strategic national importance. NDU-K will focus on broad matters of national security and defence at operational and strategic level.

While welcoming the President, the Chief of Defence Forces General Robert Kibochi, on behalf of the KDF fraternity thanked the President for his valuable support in matters of education and training in KDF.

“NDU-K will endeavor KDFs' mission readiness in addressing Kenya’s', regional and global national security issues.” Gen Kibochi added.

In his address, the C-in-C acknowledged that awarding charter to the University is a major achievement to the institution both locally and globally. The Chief of the Defence Forces Gen Robert Kibochi and the Commandant National Defence University - Kenya Lt Gen Adan Mulata put the maze to its stand during the “The University will create a ceremony. critical mass of strategic level administrators and policy makers within the , Africa and beyond. My government is committed in supporting the NDU-K in order to produce brilliant men and women across all arms of government.” Said the President.

Additionally, he congratulated the graduates for successfully completing 49 weeks of hard work, sacrifice and determination. He expressed his gratitude to the faculty members too for a job well done that bore fruit resulting in the day's celebrations.

“The multi-agency training in this institution has always sharpened the participant’s character, skills and attitude which has earned KDF respect globally. I urge all ministries and agencies to embrace H.E President Uhuru Kenyatta and the Commander in Chief of the Defence Forces similar training which is key in all addresses the graduands and the congregation at the new fully-fledged National our efforts across the multi-agency Defence University after awarding the institution a charter. approach.” He added.

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The 55 graduands, comprised of senior military officers, senior Professor Chacha Nyaigoti Chacha, “Granting charter will benefit civil servants from Kenya, Burundi, the Chair Commission for University University . The Malawi, Nepal, Tanzania, Uganda Education (CUE) acknowledged University will produce competent and Zambia. that the Government establishment strategic thinkers in National of the NDU-K will be a benefit of Security and Strategy, geared Speaking at the same occasion the Education advancement in Kenya. towards enhancing a multi-agency Cabinet Secretary (CS) for Defence approach in the management of Amb. Dr. Monica Juma, thanked Government affairs.” Added the the President for his tremendous Professor. support that has birthed the NDU-K Instruments of authority were and for gracing the occasion that The University will marked a historic moment in the officially handed over to the Ministry of Defence. create a critical mass University mandating them to of strategic level fully roll out their activities, as the President was crowned the “This occasion stands true to our administrators and motto of ‘Mission Readiness’, University Chancellor during the NDU-K is envisioned as a global policy makers within ceremony. Centre of Excellence for Policy the Government Present during the ceremony and Strategic Studies. It will be a of Kenya, Africa tool that leads us towards a better were the Cabinet Secretaries understanding of our operational and beyond. My for Education, Interior and " Coordination, Information and environment. This knowledge will government is Communication, the Attorney help towards the realization of a committed in secure, stable, prosperous and General, VCDF, the Defence peaceful society.” She said. supporting the Principal Secretary Hon. Dr. Ibrahim Mohammed, Service NDU-K in order to Commanders, General Officers, CS Defence, in her address produce brilliant men stated that the main objective retired General Officers, Members of the NDU-K is to promote the and women across all of the Diplomatic Corps, Faculty National Development Agenda. arms of government. Members and Staff, among other Additionally, the University will offer invited guests. specialized courses for personnel in the security agencies to enable them delivery on their mandate and for development of strategic leadership capacity in the public sector.

Lieutenant General Adan Mulata, the NDC Commandant, noted that the multi-agency approach in integrating different security agencies in such courses has contributed to the national and security development for this country. He further commended all the graduates and faculty members for a job well done and for successfully completing this course. “I thank all the lecturers and resource persons, especially the Institute of Diplomacy and International Studies of the University of Nairobi, for their invaluable contribution,” added the Graduands march forward to receive their credentials after completing their studies Commandant. at the National Defence University, formerly the National Defence College located in Karen, Nairobi.

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Highlighting the undertakings of the new management since the transfer, AGRI-BUSINESS the Cabinet Secretary for Defence Amb. Dr. Monica Juma noted that the ministry has morphed up all the commission’s assets for the Restoration of Kenya purpose of accountability and that the commission has embarked on development of a robust business Meat Commission plan for its prosperity. "The business plan will drive the facility back into profitability and sustainable enterprise in line with the President’s guidance for turnaround strategy of the commission," she said. The Cabinet Secretary underscored that the business reorganization plan has kicked off in earnest starting with offsetting all pending payments owed by the commission.

"A robust plan on a competitive acquisition of livestock and timely payment to suppliers on time has been implemented with positive feedback,” the CS stated.

Chief of the Defence Force General Robert Kibochi said that the commission has since attained its objective since handover to the H.E President Uhuru Kenyatta and Defence Cabinet Secretary Amb. Dr. Monica Juma tours the restored Kenya Meat Commission Ministry of Defence. “For sustainable operation, the KDF seconded specialized teams to the commission he Kenya Meat Commission to spur it turn-around and inculcate was today reopened by the culture of discipline that has H.E Hon. Uhuru Kenyatta, been lacking. This will go a long President of the Republic of way in ensuring that the commission TKenya and the Commander in Chief The revival of this operates with utmost professionalism of the Defence Forces at Athi River, and integrity to meet its objective,” the Machakos County. factory will help CDF added. farmers some of The reopening comes months after The Chairman of the Board of the President fully transferred the whom waited for Commissioners Lt. Gen (Rtd) management of the commission from four years to get Joseph Kasaon thanked the CDF the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock for his tireless effort in reviving the and Fisheries to the Ministry of their pay within 72 commission and assured the President Defence. The transfer mandated the hours from the time of its growth and prosperity. "We know KDF to redesign the infrastructure of the history, and ours is to ensure that the commission with a view of making "of delivery. the main purpose of the commission is it more viable to meet food challenges achieved the objectives set and that in in the county. future, the commission will not rely on the government for its daily operation. Speaking during the event, the revival of this factory will help farmers Commander in Chief lauded the KDF some of whom waited for four years Present during the event were the family for taking an active role in the to get their pay within 72 hours from Cabinet Secretaries for Lands and realization of the turn-around of the the time of delivery and help create Agriculture, Permanent secretaries for commission to what it is today, adding predictability in the livestock sector," respective ministries, Special Envoy that transformation is evident in the he added. to South Sudan Kalonzo Musyoka, commission. Transport CAS Wavinya Ndeti, Narok He challenged the new management and Machakos Governors, VCDF, The President acknowledged the to do more and leverage the Service Commanders, General importance of the transformation opportunity at hand by capitalizing Officers, Senior Officers, KDF noting that millions of Kenyans rely on on the existing brand recognition to personnel among other invited guests. livestock as their only mainstay. “The achieve desired objectives.

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