Make Kenya peacekeeping training hub, urges envoy
Japanese Ambassador to Kenya Tatsushi Terada. Japan is pushing for Kenya to be made the regional military training centre for army engineers before they are sent for peacekeeping missions across Africa. PHOTO | NATION MEDIA GROUP
What you need to know:
- Japanese Ambassador to Kenya Tatsushi Terada said his country is ready to start training at the International Peace Support Training Centre (IPSTC) in Karen, Nairobi, if the United Nations accepts the proposal.
- Japan has increased its military activities in the region and contributes an estimated $1 million (Sh100 million) to IPSTC every year. The centre’s branch in Embakasi is also the eastern Africa regional military training hub in demining.
Japan is pushing for Kenya to be made the regional military training centre for army engineers before they are sent for peacekeeping missions across Africa.
Japanese Ambassador to Kenya Tatsushi Terada said his country is ready to start training at the International Peace Support Training Centre (IPSTC) in Karen, Nairobi, if the United Nations accepts the proposal.
“As seen in South Sudan, capitalising on Japan’s advanced infrastructure building capability, or engineering capability, the UN is currently developing the training programme to enhance rapid deployment of engineering capabilities.
“Although the final decision will be made by the UN, I genuinely hope that the IPSTC of Kenya will be chosen to be the training site,” he said yesterday when he marked Japan’s Self-Defence Forces Day.
Japan has increased its military activities in the region and contributes an estimated $1 million (Sh100 million) to IPSTC every year. The centre’s branch in Embakasi is also the eastern Africa regional military training hub in demining.
The envoy pledged to support Kenya in fighting terrorism.
Defence CS Raychelle Omamo and Chief of Defence Forces Samson Mwathethe also attended the event.
