PRESIDENT RUTO PRESIDES OVER THE COMMENCEMENT OF KDF’s FORMATION COMMANDERS’ CONFERENCE

H.E Hon. William Samoei Ruto, President of the Republic of Kenya and Commander-in-Chief of the Defence Forces on 18 October 2022, presided over the official opening of the Formation Commanders Conference (FCC) in Nairobi.

Held annually, the FCC brings together senior officers from KDF Formations and provides a platform for sharing ideas and perspectives on diverse security issues impacting on Kenya’s National Defence and Security.

As such, the principle objective of the event is to not only enhance Commanders’ grasp of the dynamic nature of the operating environment, but also, to help build synergies between defence and other socio-economic sectors in order to enable transformation of KDF into a mission ready force that is best suited to execute its mandate in the contemporary world.

This year’s FCC is themed: “Defence and Security in the 21st century: implications of rapid technology, revolution on military capabilities.”

In his address, the Commander-in-Chief  underscored the probity of the subject matter at a time when we continue to confront multi-faceted threats to our national, regional and global security.

“During the conference, you will discuss the state of Defence and Security in the 21st century with a particular emphasis on the impact of rapid technological revolutions on military capabilities,” said the C-in-C.

“The rapidly changing technology landscape is redefining warfare and national security. We must leverage technology to effectively and quickly counter special threats like terrorism and cyber crime that cannot be dealt with in conventional military ways,” said the president.

“Kenya and the broader East Africa region continue to experience security challenges emanating from criminal and terrorist networks, which exploit ungoverned spaces along our borders,” the President added further noting that this has brought home the need to harmonize the geopolitical spirit of cooperation with the geo-strategic spirit of competition.

This responsibility, he added, are grounded on the understanding that our stability is inextricably intertwined with the state of security in our region in the context of prevailing global undercurrents.

In his remarks, Chief of Defence Forces, General Robert Kibochi, observed that the Conference seeks to review the implications of rapid technology revolution on military capabilities.

“This conference focuses on how technology-based weapons including cyber, drones, social media and artificial intelligence are redefining modern conflicts both conventional and  asymmetric,” he said.

On the sidelines of the conference, the President commissioned the newly constructed Moran centre – an ultra-modern Cyber Command Centre that is meant to assist KDF in securing the cyberspace war domain pointing out that the ideal defence force for the 21st century is dynamic, effective and responsible for contemporary threats.

The twin occasions were attended by among other dignitaries the CS Defence Hon. Eugene Wamalwa, nominated CS Defence Hon. Aden Duale, Vice Chief of Defence Forces, Service Commanders, General Officers, Senior Officers, Officers and Service members.