Multi-Million Counter-IED Facility Commissioned in Embakasi [PHOTOS]

Kenya has partnered with Germany and the UK to step up the fight against terrorism in the region.

On Tuesday, October 5, 2021, German Deputy Ambassador accredited to Kenya, Thomas Wimmer laid the cornerstone for the new Counter Improvised Explosive Device (C-IED) Wing project at the Humanitarian Peace Support School (HPSS), Embakasi.

The ceremony was graced by senior officials including; General Officers, Senior Officers and accredited Defence Advisors from 20 countries.

HPSS was established in January 2001 as part of the Kenyan Defence Staff College, and initially focused on training Kenyan forces for UN peacekeeping missions and later for African Union Peace Support Operations.

With the merger in 2009 with the International Mine Action Training Centre (IMATC) one centre was formed, the International Peace Support Training Centre (IPSTC).

The former Peace Support Training Centre (PSTC) was renamed Peace and Conflict Studies School (PCSS) and the International Mine Action Training Centre renamed Humanitarian Peace Support School (HPSS).

Ambassador Wimmer reaffirmed that Germany firmly believes in the concept of regional peacekeeping training centres, citing a similar effort by the European nation in Ghana, where they have invested heavily in the Koffi Annan Peacekeeping Training Centre.

"We are therefore very proud also to be one of the initial of the IPSTC since the beginning in 2011. And since then, we have taken responsibility in different ways," he said.

The German ambassador highlighted key initiatives sponsored by the European nation in fostering peace in the region, including the Amani House at IPSTC in Karen.

He assured Kenya of their full support, noting that Germany is supporting the project for the right reasons.

German Deputy Ambassador accredited to Kenya Thomas Wimmer lays the cornerstone for the new Counter Improvised Explosive Device (C-IED) Wing project at the Humanitarian Peace Support School (HPSS), in Embakasi on October 5, 2021. |Photo| Courtesy|

The first phase of the counter-IED facility will cost a reported Ksh300 million, and will comprise 12 buildings.

Germany has expressed its commitment in aiding in the war against terrorism by first ensuring proper training and equipping of police and army officers in the world.

The facility will be state-of-the-art, highly modern and innovative, and will be a shining example to other modern learning facilities in the world.

The UK reaffirmed their committed support to Kenya in the fight against Al Shabaab.

Today, British Deputy High Commissioner to Kenya and Permanent Representative to UNEP and UN Habitat Josephine Gauld reiterated that the UK is working with Kenya and other nations including Ethiopia, Uganda and Rwanda to strengthen the counter IED (C-IED) capability of troops in East Africa.

She noted the threat posed by the militia group in the region, adding that the Counter-IED facility will immensely boost the fight against terror.

"The Humanitarian Peace Support School (HPSS) is a unique initiative and on the African Continent, providing a solid foundation on which to build a competent capable Regional Centre of Excellence where police and military personnel across east and southern Africa receive IED disposal training that helps to promote security and stability in Somalia."

The UK is a globally-recognised expert in IED disposal and has a platform to assist regional partners to fulfil their AMISOM mandate by reducing the number of troops and casualties killed or injured by IEDs.