Nairobi: Secretary (Defence Production), Sanjeev Kumar, has called upon the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) to actively explore collaborative opportunities with Indian defence companies, highlighting India’s rapidly growing defence manufacturing ecosystem and its readiness for co-development and capacity-building partnerships.
Addressing the 3rd India–Kenya Defence Exhibition & Seminar in Nairobi during his three-day visit to Kenya, which concluded on January 21, 2026, the Secretary emphasised the strong bilateral relationship between India and Kenya, rooted in mutual respect, trust and long-standing cooperation. He underlined the need to build on these ties to deepen defence industrial collaboration.
The high-level seminar, organised on January 19, served as a key platform for promoting industrial partnerships, joint development and capability enhancement between the two countries. The accompanying exhibition featured 21 Indian defence companies, showcasing specialised product portfolios across a wide range of domains including shipbuilding, armoured and military vehicles, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), missile systems, cyber security, weapons, ammunition, explosives, optical devices and protection systems.
The event was attended by Kenya’s Cabinet Secretary for Defence Soipan Tuya, Vice Chief of the Kenya Defence Forces Lt Gen John M. Omenda, Commanders of the Army and DNSI, along with more than 50 senior officials from the Kenyan defence establishment. In her keynote address, the Cabinet Secretary noted that the third edition of the exhibition builds upon the successful engagements held in November 2022 and January 2024.
During the visit, the Secretary (Defence Production) held bilateral meetings with Patrick Mariru, Principal Secretary, Ministry of Defence, Kenya, and Lt Gen John M. Omenda, Vice Chief of Defence Staff. Discussions focused on expanding defence cooperation, strengthening industrial partnerships and enhancing long-term collaboration. Both sides acknowledged the strong participation of Indian defence companies across critical sectors such as naval systems, land systems, UAVs, missile technologies, armoured vehicles, cyber security and protection systems. It was also noted that the Kenya Defence Forces would hold separate meetings with participating Indian companies to explore specific cooperation avenues.
Talks with Lt Gen Omenda further covered defence industrial partnerships, capacity building, training, marine sustainment, defence exports and maintenance support, reinforcing the commitment to sustained and future-oriented cooperation.
As part of his engagements, Sanjeev Kumar also visited Kenya Shipyard Limited in Mombasa and stressed the importance of early implementation of the Memorandum of Understanding signed between Kenya Shipyard Limited and Goa Shipyard Limited, aimed at strengthening maritime and shipbuilding cooperation between the two nations.
The India–Kenya Defence Exhibition & Seminar reaffirmed India’s growing role as a reliable defence partner and underscored the shared intent of both countries to deepen strategic and industrial defence ties.
