Kenyan army launches defense policy to curb threats

Kenya's military has launched the national defence policy to help deal with security threats facing the country and measures that may be taken to ensure stability.

The Kenya Defense Force (KDF) said the policy will help soldiers to swiftly respond to various threats without risking escalation of level of conflict, a balance of power that does not encourage an arms race and defence capability that is convincing to deter coercion or aggression at time of peace time.

The policy dubbed the Defence White Paper will also help in crisis ensuring readiness for effective defence that is easily and immediately demonstrated in order to solve crises without using force.

Chief of Defence Forces Gen Samson Mwathethe said Thursday they are enhancing KDF's capacity in logistics and maintenance, C4IS systems, counter terror techniques, disaster mitigation capacities and HCA assets among others

The policy says continuous training is a major component of military capacity building.

The policy says in dealing with other states, force is the option of the last recourse and military will remain defensive.

It adds increasing conflicts in the region have compelled Kenya to review her ability to defend the nation against more threatening aspects of the challenges hence the expansion in capacity.

The Defence White Paper is informed by national interests, values and principles which have to be protected, advanced and promoted all times.

The interests include sovereignty and territorial integrity, national security, economic prosperity and well being of Kenyans and national prestige.

The army in discharging the duties will ensure law and order, protection of civil population, continued functioning of civil authorities and essential national and devolved institutions and support of the defence forces and civil population with supplies and other necessary amenities and services. Endit