Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) General Samson Mwathethe has officially launched a two-week joint military training exercise dubbed ‘Swift Eagle 2019’ at the Kenya School of Government (KSG) in Matuga, Kwale County.
He said the training exercise involves Kenya Defence Forces and the Royal Jordanian armed forces adding Swift Eagle is a military exercise that focuses on sharing of knowledge and skills in combating emerging complex security challenges.
Gen Mwathethe said they had also incorporated the recently launched Kenya Coast Guard Service (KCGS) and other security agencies to play an increasing role in securing Kenya’s maritime domain by enhancing policing capacity.
“In regard to dynamic character and complexity of the contemporary security situation, we have also included KCGS to diversify perspectives to be practiced in the exercise to promote realism in the provision of national security,” he said.
He said the inclusion of KCGS will create more space for various security agencies to participate in future training programmes.
Gen Mwathethe said the exercise is meant to address common security challenges and enhance cooperation between the two countries.
“Dangers facing us today are not only broad but also transnational. It is evident, the idea will help us find suitable solutions of cybercrime, terrorism among others that undermine state safety and deepening our bilateral relationships,” said Mwathethe.
He said it is important to evolve strategies to counter intercontinental asymmetric conflicts by involving different stakeholders to facilitate broad-based responses to prevailing drawbacks through a multi-agency approach.
“Another reason for this bilateral event is because insecurities will keep on emerging from various unexpected sources of the world and to effectively comprehend and deal with such vices there is need to share intelligence,” he added.
The General said they chose the Coast region to widen the scope of scenarios to be stimulated and exercised.
“The first forum was conducted in Nairobi then we went to Quweira in Jordan now this is the third and we thought it better to have it here to showcase our coastal and terrestrial diversity,” he said.
On his part Jordanian Contingent Commander Colonel Mahmud Ryad said they will benefit a lot from the training since Kenya has got disciplined and skilled army with a lot of expertise.
He said they look forward to learning new cultures from the Kenyan people.
By Shaban Omar/Hussein Abdullahi
