NAIROBI — President William Ruto on Tuesday is set to open the African Chiefs of Defence Conference (ACHOD 2025) in Nairobi, calling for deeper military cooperation across the continent to tackle growing security threats and foster regional peace.
Flanked by high-ranking generals and defence ministers from across Africa, Ruto welcomed delegates to the summit, describing it as a “timely and necessary conversation” for a continent grappling with terrorism, cross-border crime, and political instability.
“The threats we face today are more complex and borderless than ever before,” Ruto said. “Our response must be coordinated, strategic, and above all, rooted in partnership.”
The conference, now in its second edition on African soil, brings together top military leaders and defence experts from dozens of African states. Held under tight security in Nairobi, the summit is expected to focus on intelligence sharing, peacekeeping operations, and military readiness in the face of shifting geopolitical realities.
Organisers say the goal is clear: strengthen cooperation, improve communication among armed forces, and build trust between nations long divided by history or conflict.
A Platform for Partnership
ACHOD has grown into one of the continent’s key defence forums, offering a rare platform for both formal talks and informal dialogue among Africa’s top brass. The event is backed by several international partners, but its agenda is shaped primarily by African priorities.
“Too often, security issues are discussed for Africa, without Africa,” said a senior Kenyan defence official who requested anonymity due to protocol. “This summit changes that. It puts African leadership at the centre of African security.”
Military Education and Local Expertise
Alongside the summit, Kenya’s own National Defence College (NDC) in Karen marked a milestone on Tuesday, hosting its annual graduation ceremony. Defence Cabinet Secretary Soipan Tuya presided over the event, which honoured graduates from across the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF), allied nations, and government ministries.
The year-long course at the NDC is considered one of the region’s most rigorous military training programmes, offering advanced instruction in defence strategy, governance, and regional affairs.
“The collaboration we see at this college mirrors the kind of unity we need in our wider defense community,” Tuya said during her address. “Security isn’t a national issue anymore it’s regional and global.”
A Wider Vision
The events in Nairobi underscore Kenya’s growing profile in continental defence and diplomacy. Ruto’s administration has pushed to position the country as a stabilising force in East Africa and a reliable partner on peacekeeping missions. Kenya currently contributes troops to several multilateral operations, including in Somalia and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
The president’s appearance at ACHOD25 also reflects a wider foreign policy agenda. Just weeks ago, he formally endorsed opposition leader Raila Odinga’s bid for African Union Commission Chairperson, a move many saw as a signal of Kenya’s ambitions on the continental stage.
As the summit continues behind closed doors, participants say they’re focused less on speeches and more on real progress.
“The time for declarations is over,” said a delegate from West Africa. “What we need now are decisions and the courage to act on them.”
