NAIROBI, Kenya — Chief of the Defence Forces General Charles Kahariri has reaffirmed Kenya’s commitment to strengthening international military partnerships following high-level engagements at the World Defence Show (WDS) 2026 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
The biennial exhibition, hosted under the Saudi Armed Forces and themed “The Future of Defence Integration,” brought together global leaders, defence manufacturers, and innovators across land, air, sea, space, and cyber security domains.
The event was officially opened by Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Defence, Prince Khalid bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud.
During the forum, General Kahariri toured exhibition pavilions showcasing advanced weapon systems and emerging defence technologies, reflecting the growing intersection between conventional warfare capabilities and digital security innovations.
The event provided a platform for militaries worldwide to explore integrated defence systems amid evolving global security threats.
On the sidelines of the show, the Kenyan military chief held bilateral talks with the Chief of the General Staff of the Saudi Armed Forces, General Fayyad Bin Hamed Al-Ruwaili.
The two leaders reaffirmed the long-standing Kenya–Saudi Arabia defence partnership and agreed to deepen defence-industry collaboration.
They also committed to accelerating the implementation of the existing Defence Cooperation Agreement and enhancing structured information and intelligence sharing in support of shared security priorities.
Kenya and Saudi Arabia have in recent years cooperated in areas including training, counter-terrorism, and regional security coordination.
General Kahariri further visited the pavilion of the International Military Counter Terrorism Coalition (IMCTC), where he underscored Kenya’s appreciation for continued capacity-building support in counter-terrorism efforts.
Kenya remains a key regional actor in combating extremist threats, particularly through its role in the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS) and other multilateral security initiatives.
The engagements come at a time when Kenya is seeking to modernise its defence capabilities and expand strategic alliances beyond traditional partners.
Under Article 241 of the Constitution, the Kenya Defence Forces are mandated to defend and protect the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Republic, while also contributing to peace and stability in the region.
Participation in global defence forums such as WDS allows Kenya to benchmark its capabilities, strengthen bilateral relations, and access emerging technologies critical to national security.
Analysts note that defence diplomacy increasingly plays a central role in shaping security cooperation frameworks and intelligence coordination.
The Riyadh engagements underscored Kenya’s resolve to advance knowledge exchange, strengthen multilateral partnerships, and position itself as a proactive contributor to regional and global security architecture.
