The National Police Leadership Academy (NPLA) in Ngong has hosted a high-level delegation from the Eastern Africa Standby Force (EASF) as Kenya moves to deepen regional cooperation in peace operations training.
The visit, held on Tuesday, focused on exploring partnerships in specialised police training and assessing the potential accreditation of the Ngong-based academy as an EASF-certified police training centre.
Such accreditation would position Kenya as a key regional hub for peace support and security operations training.
The delegation was led by the Senior Advisor to the EASF Police Component, Mr Allan Riis, a Superintendent of Police from Denmark.
He was accompanied by the EASF Personnel and Administration Officer, Mr Stephen Odula, SP, and Administration Assistant Ms Frida Mungania, among other officials.
They were received by the NPLA Commandant, Assistant Inspector General David K. Mathiu, alongside members of the academy’s senior management team.
Speaking during the engagement, AIG Mathiu conveyed the appreciation of Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja for the long-standing support extended by the EASF to the National Police Service.
He noted that numerous Kenyan police officers have benefited from EASF-led specialised training programmes, particularly in peacekeeping and stability operations.
The discussions centred on harmonising training standards, curriculum development, and expanding opportunities for joint capacity building in peace operations.
Officials said the engagement aligns with Kenya’s broader security and foreign policy goals, including strengthening regional peace and security frameworks.
The Eastern Africa Standby Force is a regional security organisation mandated to enhance peace and stability across Eastern Africa.
It was established to provide rapid deployment capabilities for preventive missions, peace support operations, stability interventions, and peace enforcement when required.
If accredited, the NPLA would play a central role in training police officers for regional and international peace missions, further reinforcing Kenya’s profile as a contributor to regional security and multilateral peace efforts.