His Excellency Dr. William Ruto, the President of the Republic of Kenya and Commander-in-Chief of the Defence Forces today presided over the graduation ceremony of the National Defence College(NDC) in which 65 participants of Course 26-2023/24 graduated at Karen, Nairobi.
In his speech, the President highlighted that the graduation accomplishment is a manifestation of the values and principles of the College and a significant belief that sound education, quality training and robust skills development are the pillars of a strong and secure nation.
The Head of State hailed the KDF for conscientious implementation of the gender policy. Leading to an increase in the number of women in key leadership appointments. The steady rise of female officers graduating each year from NDC is a manifestation of tremendous progress of entrenching women leadership and a positive step towards gender inclusivity.
He further lauded the leadership of the Ministry of Defence led by the Cabinet Secretary Hon. Aden Duale and the Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) General Charles Kahariri for rendering quality training to the nation, the region, and the entire globe.
He noted that the NDC alumni continue to influence and promote the development of organizations and policies necessary to enhance and harness available national capacity. This, according to the president, allows them to determine realistic and practical ways and means of achieving national objectives through synergies and collaborations across the government and public sector.
In the same breath, the President urged government Ministries, Departments and Agencies to also take up learning at the National Defence College (NDC) saying the move will enable the country to build a critical mass of like-minded senior officials who will contribute to national policy through home-grown solutions at the strategic level.
“I, therefore, urge all other Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) to seize learning opportunities provided by NDC to enable us to build a critical mass of like-minded senior officials capable of influencing policy and generating homegrown solution at strategic level,” he said.
The Commandant National Defence College, Lieutenant General Juma Mwinyikai, expressed his distinct privilege and honour to this graduation ceremony. He further stated that it’s another milestone for the college and to the participants who have made a big stride on our career. Lt. Gen Mwinyikai also stated that the diverse needs of participants brought with them a wealth of valued experience and knowledge, which was shared during lectures and various discussions.
Prior to the graduation ceremony, the president delivered a high-level lecture on ‘Towards Borderless Africa:Opportunities presented by the African Continental Free Trade Area’ (AFCFTA). He underscored that a Borderless Africa is an integrated Africa with overwhelming prospects of lifting hundreds of millions of people in prosperity; thus entrenching sustainable economic security and enriching the fundamental complementarity between progress and security.
Present during the ceremony were Defence Cabinet Secretary Hon. Aden Duale, National Security Adviser Amb. Dr. Monica Juma, Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) General Charles Kahariri, Defence Principal Secretary Patrick Mariru, Service Commanders, NDC Commandant Lieutenant General Juma Mwinyikai,General Officers (both serving and retired), senior government and military officials, and families to the graduands.
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