The mandate of the Ministry of Defence (MoD) is contained in Executive Order Number 3 of 2023 on the Organization of the Government of the Republic of Kenya. MoD facilitates and supports the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) in discharging their mandate under Article 241 (3) of the Constitution to ensure that the KDF, which is Ministry’s technical arm, achieves its vision to be premier, credible and mission-capable force deeply rooted in professionalism.
To fulfill this mandate, the Ministry works under the direction of the National Security Council and the Defence Council to formulate National Defence Policies relation to peacekeeping, internal and external security and total defence of the nation.
Consequently, whenever called upon, the Ministry through KDF and in collaboration with other Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), has in the past offered services promptly and unreservedly, relying on its existing reservoir of competencies. In this regard, the KDF has established an enviable track record in delivering building infrastructural projects, rail and road projects, as well as maritime endeavors. These projects have greatly contributed towards the achievement of collective security and the Nation’s strategic aspirations.
In the Financial year 2023/2024, the Ministry was entrusted with spearheading work on 22 projects , including the renovation of Kenyatta International Convention Center (KICC) in Nairobi County . KICC had been chosen as the venue for the Africa Climate Summit and Africa Climate Week, which was slated for 4-8 September 2023. Owing to a host of factors including the state of the venue and considering that this was an international event jointly hosted by the Government of Kenya and the African Union, there was a need for a facelift of KICC. Thus, the Ministry was assigned the duty to oversee the renovations of the venue.
The decision to entrust the responsibility of the renovations to the Ministry of Defence was predicated on the necessity to expedite the process and align the facility with the thematic imperatives of the Summit. Due process was followed, and the transfer of policing responsibility was authorized by the Public Procurement Regulatory Authority, under provisions of section 52 (1) of the Act and Regulations 39 (1) c of the Public Procurement and Asset Disposal Regulations 2020 (the Regulations). This culminated in a comprehensive agreement for the two procuring entities on the scope of works.
The scope of works entailed the rehabilitation of the Tsavo Ball Room; rehabilitation of the Amphitheatre; renovation of water fountains; external works including driveways, landscaping and parking; general renovations of the basement first-floor, ground floor, 4th and 5th floors; Mechanical works including air conditioning, electrical works, audio-visual system and installation of CCTV camera.
To ensure successful execution of the project, the Ministry teamed up with several stakeholders including the Ministry of Environment, the Ministry of Public Works, the Ministry of Tourism, the African Climate Summit Secretariat, and the event hosts, KICC.
An agreement was reached on the contractor to undertake thework, while the Ministry of Defence assumed the supervisory role with the responsibility of enforcing adherence to specified standards and timely project delivery. Regular daily site visits, meetings and reviews were conducted by all stakeholders to monitor progress, address gaps and priority areas, and effect desired interventions.
The renovations were tailored to the specifications and utility of the Summit and conference facility. In the course of the project, the Ministry facilitated gradual handovers of completed sections to accommodate other service providers for the Summit’s preparations. The handover of the project to KICC as per the scope of work was done on 28th August 2023. Ultimately, the renovations enabled KICC to host the Summit successfully, fulfilling the intended objective.
The Ministry of Defence is committed to upholding the highest standards of integrity, transparency, and accountability in all its operations. The delivery projects of the highest quality that meet the expectations of the citizens within set timelines and budgets (value for money) are at the heart of the operations of the ministry. What this means is that the Ministry values the trust and confidence of the public and is therefore resolute in its commitment to upholding the highest standards of governance and accountability.
