The Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) of Kenya, General Kahariri, hosted delegations from Sierra Leone and Azerbaijan at the Defence Headquarters in Nairobi on November 21, 2025, further strengthening Kenya’s defence and diplomatic ties.
The Sierra Leone delegation was led by the High Commissioner to Kenya, H.E. Lieutenant General (Rtd) Peter Kakowou Lavahun, who also serves as Permanent Representative to the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and UN-Habitat. He was accompanied by Minister Plenipotentiary Abdul Karim Kargbo and Information Attache Abu Bakar Dakowa.
During the courtesy meeting, General Kahariri and the High Commissioner highlighted the historical relationship between the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) and the Republic of Sierra Leone Armed Forces (RSLAF). Kenya’s pivotal role in stabilising Sierra Leone during the late 1990s and early 2000s conflicts was recognised, alongside the RSLAF’s contribution to international peace operations in Somalia under the then-AMISOM.
The discussions culminated in an agreement to fast-track the signing of the Defence Cooperation Agreement (DCA) between Kenya and Sierra Leone. The DCA will provide a formal framework for structured and enhanced defence collaboration, positioning defence channels as a key pillar of Kenya’s modern foreign policy.
The CDF also received a delegation from Azerbaijan, led by the Minister of Defence Industries, Vuqar Mustafayev. The talks focused on strengthening diplomatic and defence cooperation, building on the milestone of 20 years of bilateral relations celebrated earlier in June 2025, marked by the opening of Azerbaijan’s permanent embassy in Nairobi.
Colonels from the Defence Headquarters Strategic Plans and Policy Branch, including Col Samuel Olando and Col David Owili, facilitated the administrative and strategic support for these engagements.
These diplomatic initiatives aim to elevate Kenya’s strategic influence globally while providing structured frameworks for mutually beneficial defence and security cooperation with partner nations.
