₦airaland Forum

fin

KDF gets another Level 4 Hospital (105 Bed capacity) this time at the School of Infantry in Isiolo. Isiolo is 200km from Nairobi on your to Garissa and Somalia.

“The facility before us will provide Level 4 specialized services including surgical, internal medicine, obstetric/gynecological services, pediatric services and critical care to service members and their families within this region,” the President said.

President Uhuru further added that the healthcare reforms for the disciplined forces were in tandem with his Administration’s Big Four Agenda on the Universal Health Coverage (UHC); which has concurrently witnessed improvements in the facilities and services offered to the civilian population.

“A grateful nation bows in supplication for your unflinching service, duty, and honour to your country and to our flag. May this facility be a symbol of strength and endurance, and, indeed, of the sacrifices made by so many for the country they so deeply cherish,” concluded the C-in-C.

Speaking during the ocassion, Cabinet Secretary for Defence Hon. Eugene Wamalwa said IRH will contribute immensley to healthcare access, not only to the military but also, to the retired military personnel and their families through the Defence Forces Medical Insurance Scheme.

“IRH has been staffed with highly skilled staff and furnished with state-of-the-art equipment for diagnosis and treatment that has no match in the region,” said the CS.

Chief of the Defence Forces (CDF) General Robert Kibochi thanked the President for the Government’s continued investment in the military saying KDF’s operational capabilities had improved significantly in recent years.

General Kibochi noted that the inauguration of the facility is a great milestone to the KDF fraternity’ welfare since the facilities are very crucial in providing medical support to both KDF and their dependants, thus reducing the time taken and resources used to travel to Nairobi, as was the case previously.

Saab wins live-training contract in Kenya
Saab has been awarded a contract to supply a Tactical Engagement Simulation (TES) capability to the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF).

Under the contract, Saab will supply its standard laser-based GAMER TES system, including individual personnel detection devices (PDDs); detector systems for light tactical vehicles; laser projectors for a variety of infantry weapons, including rocket-propelled grenades (RPGs); and simulated hand grenades and improvised explosive devices (IEDs). The system will use the latest Urban Combat Advanced Training Technology (UCATT) Laser Engagement Interface Standard (ULEIS) laser code.

Hans Lindgren, head of business development for Saab's training and simulation unit, told Janes that the system will include sufficient equipment for a “light-role infantry battlegroup” of about 800 personnel. It also includes the exercise control (EXCON) and communications network to support fully instrumented live training. The communications network includes two mobile base stations, each of which can provide approximate coverage of 7–10 km radius, giving a total area coverage of more than 200 km² depending on the terrain.

The GAMER EXCON software provides detailed tracking and analysis of activity down to individual level, enabling thorough after-action review. The system does not include instrumentation for indirect fire from mortars, but this will be simulated using the Area Weapons Effects Simulator (AWES) system via EXCON.

Lindgren said that the system will be based at the KDF School of Infantry at Isiolo and delivery will be completed by the end of 2023. Saab will also provide training for users and maintenance personnel, and a limited support contract.

https://www.janes.com/defence-news/news-detail/saab-wins-live-training-contract-in-kenya

cont

KDF has been doing some community outreach programs in various parts of Somalia.

i.e Restoring abandoned water supply plants, renovating and supplying medicals to clinics and hospitals, distributing water to locals, field medical camps, donating food stuffs.. etc

Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) troops operating in Somalia under the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) last week repaired a water pump supplying water to Tabda residents.
The pump, which was broken and had been abandoned for a long time, had left area residents without reliable water supply.
Repair of the pump has restored water supply to the residents and cushioned them against the ongoing drought effects currently being experienced in the area.
KDF troops also donated foodstuff including rice, flour, milk, beans and clean drinking water to lessen the effects of food and fresh water scarcity in the area.
The Officer Commanding Tabda, Major Gichubi Waweru affirmed KDF’s commitment to improve the livelihood of locals in the area as they continue to degrade the Al Shabaab terrorists.
Tabda Officer Commanding Station, Mohamed Mahat Harun thanked KDF for the kind gesture and pledged continued support to the troops in fighting Al Shabaab.

East African Standby Force - Command Post Exercise (CPX).: Looks like its going to be a big deal judging by the attendance in that room

FINAL PLANNING CONFERENCE FOR EASF COMMAND POST EXERCISE
Maj Gen Kiugu noted that EASF, as an important outfit of addressing peace and security, brings together militaries, police and civilians from ten (10) Eastern Africa member states namely; Burundi, Comoros, Djibouti, Ethiopia, Rwanda, Kenya, Seychelles, Somalia, Sudan and Uganda to build cohesion, tolerance and better understanding.

“The coming together of the ten member states to discuss matters security is not only a noble idea but also a good opportunity to accelerate military operations while striving to guarantee peace and security in this region,” said Maj Gen Kiugu.

The Acting Director of the EASF Brigadier Osman Abbas said the CPX’s main objective was to consolidate, maintain and test the capability of EASF in planning and conducting multi-dimensional operations.

“The exercise presents an opportunity to exercise tools as well as command and control of the forces on AU mandated Peace Support Programs. It shall ensure a multi-dimensional readiness and capability to effectively accomplish its mandate. The CPX shall also help synchronize the various doctrines and procedures from different EASF components,” said Brigadier Abbas.

He added that the complexity of Peace Support Operations requires a well-trained and organized force in the protection of civilians, disasters, pandemics and asymmetric threats among others.

.

Dijaxa:
What Russia is doing is bad. Ukraine is a peaceful country that is not even their match. They Shud start a war with China and US and let's see the result

What Russia is doing are a consiquence of what the US and EU were trying to do in Ukrain. Ukrain is just an innocent pawn played by superpowers.

Kenya Shipyard Limited (KSL) has received six orders from Tanzania and Uganda for the construction of ships, raising the business prospects of the newly formed entity.


The firm’s deputy director, Peter Muthungu, added that it had another 11 orders from local firms for the construction of the ships.

“In total, we have got 17 orders from different companies that want us to construct ships for them,” said Col Muthungu.

https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/news/national/tanzania-uganda-order-ships-from-kenyan-military-firm-3711858




Also on the same note:

KSL Shipyard today hosted a delegation from Egypt led by Brig Mustafa Jubaili pursuant to implementation of KEN - EGY Joint Military Cooperation activities with intent to exchange expertise and experience.

Baliv254:
repost
this is old, almost 2 year old posts
sad that its hard getting content of kdf, very strict about cameras

More like old school Generals who have not yet, realized the power of publicity and social media.

Kenya Navy Clearance Diving Unit - Cadets in training

rvp20182:
what section of lapset is this? I think Eldoret to Lodwar to Nadapal is completed - but - South Sudan have to build theirs to Juba.

it's not completed all the way, last time I checked it was 89% complete. This was back in November,2021. South Sudan have started the ground work for their section from Juba headed towards Nadapal.

500km road through Northern Kenya... This road is headed towards South Sudan as part of the lapsset project.

While I was reading the comments about Kipevu Terminal, I can't find the exact comment but someone said that Kipevu can only handle small vessels of 200m because it has a quay length of 770m... (Probably took 770/4 vessels at a time), This is inaccurate.. If the old Terminal could handle 300m tankers, you think a new, more modern terminal would be anything less?


FYI, The Terminal is 770m long yes, but its double sided, that means the quay length is 1540m!, that means, any berth can easily accommodate a 400m tanker!

pic1. The artistic impression of the offshore Terminal, As you can see, ships dock on both sides of the 770m long terminal.
pic2: Wide angle of the port Area (With Kipevu Terminal offshore at the bottom)
pic3: The actual distance of the terminal as measured by googlemaps.
pic4: Gives you a sense of the scale of the terminal.

Kazikazi:
We are doing tendering now for the longest heated oil pipeline in the world.For refinery, just wait about 3 years then see what your Kipevu blah blah will end up to.
Remember, TZ has shares in the Ugandan oil refinery

You say our Kipevu terminal is white elephant because it imports refined petroleum, and in a few years Uganda will have a refinery....
But then You go ahead and brag about building the world's longest heated oil pipeline(for exportation of crude oil)
Can't you see how you are shooting yourself in the foot right there?
The heated crude oil pipeline would need like 25years to make a return on investment... If a refinery is built b4 that, it will render the crude pipeline obsolete this makes the pipeline a white elephant since it will never be used once a refinery is operational. So Uganda has to choose one project for now, either export the oil through the crude pipeline or build a refinery and distribute refined products... You can't have both at the same time with only 2.5 billion barrels of recoverable oil reserves.

Therefore the logical conclusion is that Kipevu terminal is the opposite of white elephant... Even Uganda is currently constructing an oil tanker and a jetty to take refined products from the Kisumu oil jetty.
And even when such a time comes when we will be buying refined product from a refinery in Uganda, Kipevu oil terminal will still not be a white elephant, our refined pipeline can pump both ways, we can turn the terminal from intake to outlet and export both Kenya and Uganda petroleum products without needing any further capital input to make it happen, and since Uganda already imports the bulk of their fuel through Mombasa, it would be natural for them to export their own refined product through the same means!


And BTW Uganda has reserved equal shares for both Kenya and Tanzania for the refinery project, if I rem correctly, it was either 5% each or 7% share each for both Kenya and Tanzania.

QuietMynd:
https:// twitter.com/i/web/status/1463546463439495183
Close the gap between / and t

I had not seen this, Now I get why the US is so pissed at Turkey for selling armed drones to ENDF... Western ambassadors were all of the view that Abby's Government was defeated militarily and that the Tigreyans would take back power...


https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1463546463439495183

UPDF

kikuyu1:
Am I the only one who's not happy with this? We've seen their Ottoman pretensions all over the ME: what do these mofos want with our wild neighbours!?

Once they start using them, it will change the power dynamics within the region .. Ethiopia basically tilt the scales a few months after using them.

Somali National Army is said to have acquired Turkish armed UAVs. This image is of them training in Turkey

Drive safely this holiday season

UPDF(Uganda) Special Forces with an electric driven 3 barrel machine gun

It was a beautiful show yesterday by KAF F-5 pilots during this year's Jamuhuri Day celebration.

https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&url=https://m.youtube.com/watch%3Fv%3DqY8GXq9y76E&ved=2ahUKEwj27tLbrOD0AhXk0eAKHd3mDUIQwqsBegQICBAF&usg=AOvVaw106THDyYbBU3K_7rgX7l7K

kabe1:
UPDF SF in the DRC

There are a few countries that seem to be getting all kinds of experience... Desert warfare, Jungle, Mountain, densely populated Urban..... The only thing left for Uganda is winter experience

Uganda SF

Anotherone was also arrested for taking money and issuing illegal calling letters during recruitment exercise.

I love it when the military self-correct, If you hide bad apples for fear of a little embarrassment eventually the whole basket will reek of rot.

RECRUITMENT MALPRACTICES
A Kenya Defence Forces soldier was on Monday 29th November 2021 convicted to five and a half years imprisonment by a Court Martial sitting at Lang’ata Barracks after he was found guilty of engaging in recruitment malpractices.
The members of the court led by Colonel Lucas Teimuge and Milimani Senior Principal Magistrate Bernard Ochoi found Corporal Fred Kiptum Kiplagat guilty of obtaining money by false pretense, desertion from duty and issuing a fake KDF recruitment calling letter.
Corporal Kiptum was convicted to two years in jail for obtaining Sh300,000 (About $2,600) from Charles Kipkorir on 4th April 2021 pretending that he was in a position to help recruit his son Brian Kipkemoi into the military. He was also convicted to two years in prison for obtaining Sh102,500 from Brian Kipkemoi on the same day pretending that he was in a position to influence his recruitment into the military.
Further, Corporal Kiptum was sentenced to a year in jail for issuing a fake calling letter to the complainant, an act he ought to have known constitutes a criminal offense and additional six-months in prison for deserting his place of work for 90 days without official leave until his arrest on 3rd May 2021.
The Magistrate directed that all the charges run concurrently and granted the accused 14 days to lodge an appeal if dissatisfied with the decision of the court.

RiceProducers:
Governments should buy all produce and distribute. That way, you don't mix out on revenues.

As long as they buy at fair price and they are always ready to buy at any given time of the year (given that some farmers use irrigation so their produce isn't seasonal)

But I think a more sustainable solution would be to make it compulsory by law that no farmer can sell produce directly, You must be in a farmers cooperative ltd which would be a holding company for farmers within and administrative region. This company will then keep formal records of what each farmer brings and once sold, the payment would be made directly to banks so taxing would be very easy...
In Kenya, This already happens with Coffee and Tea farmers, So it's just a matter of borrowing a leaf from such smallholder holding companies. These companies are owned by the farmers themselves so they set they control the company.
https://ktdateas.com/about-us/
https://ktdateas.com/farmers-paymet/

RiceProducers:
This means Uganda is slack at collecting revenue. This problem should not be viewed with a one track mind. You should be collecting at least 20% of your GDP as revenue. For Uganda this should be $6bn every year

Countries that are agrarian based with not much value addition have a hard time quantifying and collecting taxes. Unlike other economies that are industrial and service based.

EMW01:
I would think it would be the other way round. By its very nature of been an extremist organization alshabaab is unlikely to gain much external support and thus is limited to controlling somali territory and staging terror attacks against civilians. This is a credible but not existential threat. An aggressive legitimate somali government is able to get external support. For example in case of any future clash it may obtain military support ( e.g drones from Turkey) that may give it a military edge. Majority Muslim countries would also likely rally behind and provide covert or overt military support.

This is just my opinion but we are making a terrible mistake in terms of our threat assessment. Any counter terrorism operations by "occupational forces" have largely failed world over ( cc. Afghanistan, Vietnam). We should gradually pull out and let SNA do the bulk of the fighting and dying.

I would propose that KDF in future be limited to providing a robust border defence and mobile ground and air forces that can preemptively destroy any concentrations of militants at least 100km from our border. But other than that let the SNA deal with alshabaab, prolonged occupation is unlikely to ever result in success.

And isn't that's why they train the SNA to make sure that they can effectively deal with Alshabaab instead of KDF just leaving without a plan and have alshabaab retake the country in a matter of a few months Afghan style?

You should also remember that Alshabaab started venturing into Kenya long b4 KDF entered Somalia, and back then their justification was that we are "An ally of the Zionists" and we wanted to be spared, we had to renouse our support. What's to stop them from coming back strong and trumping up some other reason to still attack Kenya after we leave abruptly without properly preparing SNA and the civilian govt to properly take over.

I know a strong Somalia could become a thorn in the flesh for Kenya in the future but the alternative of having a breeding ground for terrorism in our backyard lingering indefinitely is in my opinion much worse than an indefinite maritime border dispute. And if the dispute ever leads to conflict (God forbid) it will most likely happen at the scene of the crime i.e within the disputed territory. And if Somali acquires anything that gives them an edge, that will just trigger an arms race.