NAIROBI, KENYA – Chief of the Defence Forces (CDF) General Charles Muriu Kahariri has directed the National Defence University-Kenya (NDU-K) to intensify its efforts in equipping military and civilian leaders with the skills to navigate the country's complex and evolving security landscape. Presiding over the 11th Regular Council Meeting of the university on Monday, November 3, 2025, at the International Peace Support Training Centre (IPSTC) in Nairobi, General Kahariri emphasized the need for graduates to possess the strategic foresight to handle threats across all modern warfare domains.

The council meeting, a key event in the university's calendar, served to review institutional progress and chart its future strategic direction. In his capacity as the Chairperson of the NDU-K Council, General Kahariri commended the university for its swift development into a centre of excellence for defence education. He urged the faculty to focus on producing a cadre of officers and scholars capable of dominating not only traditional battlefields—land, sea, and air—but also the increasingly critical domains of space and cyberspace.

A Strategic Response to Regional Threats

The directive comes as Kenya and the wider East African region confront a confluence of dynamic security challenges. These include persistent threats from jihadist militant groups like al-Shabaab in Somalia, political instability in neighbouring countries such as Sudan and South Sudan, and the growing complexity of maritime insecurity in the Indian Ocean. Furthermore, the proliferation of advanced technology has emboldened non-state actors, who increasingly employ sophisticated tactics like cyber-attacks and disinformation campaigns to destabilize governments.

General Kahariri has previously highlighted these non-traditional threats, calling for greater integration among African militaries to foster joint security cooperation, intelligence sharing, and resource mobilization. The strategic realignment of NDU-K's curriculum is a direct reflection of this priority, aiming to build a domestic brain trust capable of formulating proactive and multi-faceted national security strategies.

Developing Kenya's Strategic Brain Trust

Established through a charter on May 27, 2021, NDU-K is the premier military university in the region, mandated to offer higher education in defence and security studies to both Kenyan and international officers. The university serves as an umbrella institution for several key Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) colleges, including the National Defence College (NDC), Kenya Military Academy (KMA), and the IPSTC. Its core mission is to cultivate a class of strategic leaders from military and civilian sectors to enhance Kenya's capacity to advance its national interests.

The university offers a range of specialized programs, from a Bachelor of Science in Defence and Security Studies to a Master of Arts in National Security and Strategy and a PhD in Crisis and Disaster Management. This academic focus is central to the KDF's goal of professionalizing its human capital to meet contemporary challenges, a vision supported by the government through significant investments in equipment modernization and personnel welfare.

Upcoming Graduation and Future Outlook

During the council meeting, the NDU-K Vice-Chancellor, Lieutenant General David Tarus, confirmed that the university will hold its 3rd Graduation and Convocation Ceremony on November 21, 2025. The ceremony will be officiated by the university's Chancellor, President William S. Ruto, in his capacity as Commander-in-Chief of the Kenya Defence Forces.

The council, which includes senior defence officials like the Vice Chief of the Defence Forces and Service Commanders, reaffirmed its commitment to upholding world-class standards in defence education and research. This commitment is aligned with Kenya's broader education reforms, which aim to develop a more relevant and competency-based learning system to address national needs. As NDU-K continues to implement its 2021-2026 Strategic Plan, its role in shaping Kenya's security posture and producing leaders capable of navigating a volatile global environment remains paramount.