The Kenya Navy has officially launched a specialized Women Leadership Development Course at the Kenya Naval Training College.
The five-day training program, opened by Commander Kenya Navy, Major General Paul Otieno, is a joint initiative between Kenya and Denmark.
It seeks to equip female officers with critical leadership skills for senior command, staff, and peace support roles.
The program also reinforces Kenya’s commitment to international frameworks, including United Nations Security Council Resolution 1325, which recognizes the crucial role of women in peace and security.
This follows recent initiatives by the Ministry of Defence to increase the representation and participation of women in leadership and operational roles within the Kenya Defence Forces.
Kenya Navy Launches Training Course for Female Officers
Speaking during the inauguration on September 10, Major General Otieno said that promoting women’s leadership in the Navy demonstrates the country’s alignment with international standards for inclusive participation in security operations.
He urged officers to uphold the defence forces’ core values of resilience, excellence, loyalty, and duty.
“By investing in women’s leadership within the Navy, we are aligning with global standards that call for inclusive participation in peace and security,” he said.
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Major General Charles Mwazighe, Director of the International Peace Support Training Centre (IPSTC), noted that gender equality is important for peace and sustainable development, adding that including women in the military can improve both operational effectiveness and fairness in service delivery.
Commander Senior Grade Gaard Frederickson, Danish Liaison Officer, acknowledged Kenya’s progress in gender integration, citing its deployment of women in peacekeeping and disaster response as informative for Denmark.
The course, facilitated by the IPSTC, is part of efforts to train female officers in leadership within the Kenya Navy and enhance inclusive participation in peace and security operations.
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About the Elsie Fund
Earlier this year, the Cabinet Secretary for Defence, Hon. Soipan Tuya, held discussions with representatives from the Kenya Elsie Initiative Fund (EIF) Technical Committee.
During the discussions, the Ministry of Defence, through the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF), together with the Elsie Initiative Fund for Uniformed Women in Peace Operations and UN Women, introduced a project called “Breaking Barriers to Build Sustainable Global Peace.”
The project aims to increase the participation of women officers from KDF in UN peacekeeping missions and promote gender equality in the force.
Elsie Fund, administered by UN Women, aims to support the deployment, retention, and career progression of uniformed women in UN peace operations.
Through this partnership, the Ministry of Defence is expected to enhance training, mentorship, and professional development programs for women officers, creating a more inclusive environment within the KDF.
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A photo of Female officers during the inauguration of the Women Leadership Development Course for female officers, September 2025. PHOTO/KDF
