Kenya and Zambia Deepen Military Cooperation Through Professional Education Exchange
Professional military education continues to play a key role in defence diplomacy, providing defence forces with opportunities to exchange strategic perspectives, share operational experiences and strengthen relationships for improved responses to evolving security challenges.
On 28 September 2026, the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) hosted a 25-member delegation from the Zambia Command and Staff College for a study tour in Nairobi, reinforcing military-to-military cooperation and professional knowledge exchange between Kenya and Zambia.
Led by Colonel Charles Chembo, the delegation paid a courtesy call on the Vice Chief of the Defence Forces (VCDF), Lieutenant General John Omenda, at Defence Headquarters. The engagement focused on areas of mutual interest and opportunities to further strengthen defence cooperation between the KDF and the Zambian Armed Forces.
Welcoming the delegation, the Chief of Training, KDF, Brigadier Alex Nteere, highlighted the importance of sustained collaboration in professional military education.
He noted that engagements between military training institutions offer valuable opportunities to exchange experiences, strengthen institutional capacity and develop adaptable leaders who can operate effectively in complex and evolving security environments.
Strategic Security Briefings
During the study tour, the delegation received briefings covering the global and regional security environment, Kenya’s strategic profile, the national security architecture, defence policy and the KDF’s contribution to regional peace and stability.
The sessions also examined existing Kenya–Zambia defence cooperation and provided an opportunity for participants to exchange perspectives on contemporary security challenges, military leadership, strategic planning and operational readiness.
The briefings concluded with an interactive discussion, allowing participants to share experiences and explore approaches to strengthening professional military practice.
Strengthening Military Professionalism
Colonel Chembo said the visit formed part of the Zambia Command and Staff College’s strategic engagement programme, which is designed to expose participants to different approaches and best practices in military leadership and administration across the region.
He emphasised the importance of greater collaboration and knowledge exchange among African armed forces in developing professional, interoperable and mission-ready forces capable of responding to increasingly interconnected security challenges.
The study tour further strengthened the longstanding defence relationship between Kenya and Zambia while highlighting the role of professional military education in advancing defence diplomacy and regional security cooperation.
Through military-to-military engagements, professional education and sustained knowledge exchange, the KDF continues to build partnerships aimed at strengthening institutional capacity, interoperability and collective preparedness to address contemporary and emerging security challenges.
