Editor's Review
President William Ruto has announced that the European Union (EU) has committed €20 million to strengthen the operational capabilities of the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF).
President William Ruto has announced that the European Union (EU) has committed €20 million (approximately Ksh3 billion) to strengthen the operational capabilities of the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF), with delivery expected by the end of 2026.
Speaking on Thursday, November 12, Ruto welcomed the commitment and expressed optimism about its delivery before the end of the year.
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"We appreciate the EU’s €20 million commitment through the European Peace Facility to strengthen the Kenya Defence Forces’ operational capabilities, and look forward to its delivery by the end of the year," he said.
Ruto also highlighted the EU's financial support for African Union-led peacekeeping missions, particularly in Somalia, where security operations continue to face financial and operational challenges.
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He noted that the EU had approved an additional €75 million (approximately Ksh11.3 billion) in April 2026 to support missions in Somalia, bringing its total contribution to nearly €2.8 billion (approximately Ksh422 billion) since 2007.
"Kenya also appreciates the EU’s longstanding support for African Union-led missions, including the additional €75 million approved in April 2026 for missions in Somalia, bringing total support to nearly €2.8 billion since 2007," he added.
However, Ruto warned that the African Union Support and Stabilisation Mission in Somalia continued to experience serious financial and operational constraints, calling for sustained funding to support its activities.
"Yet the African Union Support and Stabilisation Mission in Somalia faces serious financial and operational constraints. Sustained and, where possible, increased EU support remains essential for aviation, logistics, troop sustenance, medical services and equipment," he further said.
On regional security cooperation, Ruto said Kenya was strengthening preventive diplomacy and peacebuilding through the establishment of a Stabilisation and Mediation Unit within the State Department for Foreign Affairs.
He called for increased technical support from the EU and deeper collaboration in maritime security, intelligence-sharing and counterterrorism, particularly across the Red Sea and Horn of Africa.
"Additionally, Kenya is strengthening preventive diplomacy and peacebuilding through a Stabilisation and Mediation Unit within the State Department for Foreign Affairs. We invite EU technical support and deeper cooperation in maritime security, intelligence-sharing and counterterrorism across the Red Sea and Horn of Africa," he noted.
Ruto further linked regional peace and stability to strong democratic institutions, reaffirming Kenya's commitment to the rule of law, accountability and human rights ahead of the 2027 General Election.
"Peace and stability must be reinforced by strong democratic institutions. Kenya remains committed to the rule of law, accountability, and human rights. As we prepare for the August 2027 General Election, we welcome consultations on an EU Election Observation Mission, consistent with our laws and procedures," he added.
This comes weeks after Ruto announced that Kenya will commence discussions on having Nairobi serve as a secondary jurisdiction for the Africa Credit Rating Agency (AfCRA), following its official launch in Port Louis, Mauritius.
In a statement on Monday, October 12, Ruto said the establishment of AfCRA represented an important step towards strengthening African institutions and advancing the African Union's development agenda.
"As the African Union Champion for Institutional Reform, I regard this achievement as a powerful expression of our shared determination to build an AU that is strong, effective and fit for purpose, and to advance Agenda 2063 through institutions that translate continental ambition into tangible results," he wrote.
Ruto recognised the role played by the African Peer Review Mechanism and its partners in establishing the agency, describing their contribution as instrumental in advancing institutional reforms across the continent.
"I also commend the African Peer Review Mechanism and its partners for their leadership in bringing this important reform initiative to fruition," he added.
Ruto said he had consistently advocated for changes to the global financial architecture, including fairer assessments of African economies and the establishment of a credit rating agency led by Africans.
"I have consistently championed the reform of the global financial architecture, fair and credible assessment of African risk, and the establishment of AfCRA as an African-led institution capable of reflecting the continent’s true economic realities and potential," he further said.
Ruto said Kenya was ready to support the agency through discussions on Nairobi becoming a secondary jurisdiction and the country becoming one of its sovereign clients.
"In this spirit, Kenya is pleased to welcome AfCRA and to commence discussions on Nairobi serving as a secondary jurisdiction for the agency, as well as on Kenya becoming a sovereign client of this important continental institution," he stated.
Ruto added that Kenya's proposed engagement with the agency was intended to demonstrate practical leadership and solidarity in building sustainable continental institutions.
"Through this commitment, Kenya seeks to demonstrate the practical leadership, confidence and solidarity required to transform Africa’s collective aspirations into durable institutions," he said.
