Kenya and the Czech Republic have signed a defence cooperation agreement aimed at strengthening security ties, expanding military collaboration and deepening bilateral relations, Kenyan officials said.
The agreement was signed in Nairobi on Jan. 28 and covers cooperation in areas including military education and training, peacekeeping operations, intelligence sharing, maritime security and cybersecurity. It also provides for collaboration in humanitarian assistance and disaster response.
Kenya’s Defence Minister Soipan Tuya said the two countries were ready to move swiftly to implement the agreement once it is ratified, adding that cooperation would be guided by mutual trust and a shared commitment to regional and international peace and security.
“This agreement marks an important milestone in our defence relations,” Tuya said. “It reflects our shared resolve to strengthen cooperation in support of peace, stability and security, both regionally and globally.”
The deal follows discussions that began in 2019, reflecting a gradual expansion of defence engagement between Nairobi and Prague. Officials from both sides said the agreement provides a formal framework to enhance coordination and institutionalise cooperation across a range of security-related fields.
Kenya plays a central role in regional security in East Africa, contributing troops to peacekeeping missions and leading counter-terrorism efforts against militant groups, including al Shabaab. The country also sits along key maritime routes linking the Indian Ocean to the Gulf of Aden and the Red Sea, areas that have seen rising security risks linked to piracy, militant attacks and geopolitical tensions.
Under the agreement, the two countries are expected to cooperate more closely on peacekeeping training and operations, an area in which Kenya has long-standing experience through its participation in United Nations and African Union missions. Kenya is currently a contributor to peace operations in Somalia and other parts of the region.
The inclusion of maritime security reflects growing concerns over the safety of shipping lanes off the Horn of Africa, while the focus on cybersecurity highlights the increasing importance of digital threats as governments and militaries rely more heavily on technology.
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Although defence cooperation was at the centre of the agreement, officials said it also fits into a broader effort to strengthen overall bilateral relations between the two countries.
On the economic front, trade between Kenya and the Czech Republic totalled $30.8 million in 2024, according to data from the International Trade Center (ITC). While modest, officials say defence and security cooperation can help support wider engagement in areas such as technology, manufacturing and investment.
For the Czech Republic, the agreement reinforces its engagement in a strategically important region that connects Europe, Africa and the Middle East through major maritime corridors in the Gulf of Aden and the Red Sea. Czech officials have in recent years sought to expand defence diplomacy beyond Europe, including in Africa.
Security analysts say the agreement reflects a broader trend of African countries diversifying defence partnerships, moving beyond traditional allies to engage a wider range of international partners for training, technology and capacity-building.
According to the Global Firepower Index 2025, Kenya ranks 83rd globally in terms of military strength, while the Czech Republic is ranked 55th out of 145 countries assessed. While the two countries differ significantly in military capacity and structure, officials say cooperation will focus on complementary strengths rather than parity.
Kenyan authorities have emphasised that defence partnerships are a key pillar of the country’s foreign policy, particularly as regional security challenges grow more complex. In recent years, Kenya has stepped up defence cooperation with a range of partners, including European countries, the United States and regional allies.
The Czech Republic, a member of NATO and the European Union, has also expanded its international security engagements, including through training missions, defence exports and cooperation agreements.
While the agreement must still undergo ratification procedures, officials from both sides said implementation could begin soon after approval, with joint activities expected to be rolled out in phases.
Analysts say the deal is unlikely to dramatically alter the regional security balance but could enhance Kenya’s capacity in specialised areas such as cybersecurity, intelligence and training, while giving the Czech Republic a stronger foothold in East Africa.
