Kenya Military Academy to offer Degrees, says President Kibaki

President Mwai Kibaki inspects a parade mounted by Cadet Officers during the Officer Cadets' Commissioning Parade at the Kenya Military Academy, Lanet, Nakuru.

The government has upgraded the Kenya Military Academy, Lanet from a Diploma awarding college to a bachelor’s degree awarding academy beginning this year, President Mwai Kibaki said today.

The transformed academy, President Kibaki observed, will provide training to equip the country’s defense forces with the necessary skills to handle modern day security challenges and keep abreast with emerging trends in the field of security.

The President was speaking at the Kenya Military Academy, Lanet during the commissioning of officer-cadets who have completed 21 months of rigorous training at the institution and qualified for the award of diplomas.

The officers will be deployed to various units of the Defense Forces to offer leadership to soldiers placed under their command.

President Kibaki said the internationally benchmarked three year programme for cadets, leading to the award of Bachelor of Military Studies degree, has been designed by the government in partnership with Kenyatta University.

“As the world becomes increasingly sophisticated due to rapid technological changes, defense forces all over the world are faced with new security challenges. This underscores the need to provide training that will enable officers to handle modern day security challenges and keep abreast with emerging trends in the field of security. “said the Head of State.

He underscored the need for officers in the disciplined forces to further their studies so as to develop versatile, creative and critical thinking minds that can adapt to the professional challenges confronting their careers.

Stressing that the degree course has been designed as a foundation for continued intellectual and professional development, President Kibaki said the Government has already provided necessary funding and infrastructure for the worthy programme.

The President challenged disciplined forces to uphold loyalty to the Government and the people of Kenya and the tradition of service to the country while in the line of duty.

Said the President, “You are expected to uphold this proud tradition by dedicating yourselves to serve your country to the best of your ability and in accordance with the oath of allegiance you have recited.”

With regard to humanitarian and civic activities, President Kibaki commended the disciplined forces for the roles they continued to play through a wide range of interventions including Dumisha Amani, Operation Good Hope, Operation Okoa Maisha and Operation Linda Mpaka that contributed directly to the improvement of security and the well-being of Kenyans.

“In addition to the primary duty of safeguarding our territorial integrity, our defense forces have won commendable recognition for their humanitarian and civic activities in various parts of the country” the President noted.

President Kibaki urged the Defense Forces to sustain their civic duties including building of dams, drilling of boreholes, construction of schools and roads, distribution of relief food, and the treatment of people and their livestock as they are beneficial to the well being of country.

On environmental conservation, the Head of State once more encouraged the defense forces to continue planting trees to enable the country attain ten per cent forest cover goal.

With regard to international engagements, President Kibaki commended the Defence Forces for establishing an exemplary record of high standards of professionalism in peacekeeping operations throughout the world.

He noted with appreciation that the exemplary performance displayed by the country’s peace keepers earned the Kenya a tremendous respect internationally and ensured that the diplomacy and defence forces are in high demand globally.

The Head of State reaffirmed Government commitment to the vision of the African peace and security architecture and to the development of the East African Peace and Security force as an instrument for peace and security in our sub region.

During the occasion, President Kibaki also opened a new training complex and launched a Bachelor of Science training programme in military studies.

President Kibaki presented outstanding cadets with various awards. The best officer cadet in leadership and command was scooped by Kevin Saningo Leiyan of Kenya army while the second best officer in the same category went to Omar Issa of Kenya Air force.

The colourful occasion wa s graced by Minister of State for Defense Yusuf Haji, Chief of Defence Forces-CDF General Jeremiah Kianga, service commanders and the commandant of Kenya Military Academy Brig S.W Nandwa among other senior government and military personnel.