NAIROBI, Kenya – The Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) has launched a state-of-the-art Counter-Improvised Explosive Devices (IED) complex aimed at enhancing the country’s security capabilities and regional peace-building efforts.
The facility, funded by the German government, is located at the Humanitarian Peace Support School (HPSS) in Kahawa Garrison, Nairobi.
It features lecture halls, a 200-person auditorium, a library, an in-patient health centre, and an IED museum, spanning 12 blocks.
Defence Cabinet Secretary Soipan Tuya, who presided over the inauguration, hailed Germany’s investment as a testament to its commitment to regional stability.
“By supporting the construction of this complex, Germany has demonstrated its commitment to Kenya’s determined pursuit of regional and global peace,” Tuya said. “This strengthens the deep bilateral ties between our two countries and cements Germany’s role as one of Kenya’s key development partners.”
The HPSS, a branch of the International Peace Support Training Centre (IPSTC), is a renowned hub for training personnel in peace support operations.
The facility is headed by Brigadier Joyce Sitienei of KDF.
Tuya underscored the growing use of IEDs by terrorist groups, particularly in Kenya and the wider East African region.
She expressed confidence that the new facility would help security forces better counter these threats.
“The increasing deployment of IEDs as a weapon of choice by terrorists is a major concern. We believe this Counter-IED complex will play a crucial role in addressing the challenge,” she said.
She also noted that the facility would reinforce IPSTC’s position as a United Nations-accredited centre of excellence for training peacekeeping personnel worldwide.
German Parliamentary State Secretary for Defence, Thomas Hitschler, reaffirmed Germany’s commitment to strengthening Kenya’s peacekeeping and conflict resolution initiatives.
Tuya emphasized that Kenya’s geopolitical positioning in the volatile East and Horn of Africa region presents both opportunities and challenges.
She assured that Kenya remains dedicated to playing a leadership role in peacekeeping and would continue investing in research, training, and collaborative efforts to enhance regional security.
“We will continue to support knowledge-sharing initiatives and partnerships that enhance our collective ability to address emerging global security threats,” she added.
The unveiling of the Counter-IED complex marks a significant step in Kenya’s counterterrorism strategy, reinforcing the country’s commitment to enhancing security and stability both at home and across the region.
