Raila Holds Talks with UK’s Armed Forces Minister James Heappey in London

ODM leader Raila Odinga on Tuesday morning held talks with the UK Minister for Armed Forces James Heappey in London.

The discussions between the two centered around defense and security military, with a view of enhancing military corporation between Kenya and the UK going forward.

Odinga described the UK as one of Kenya's most loyal and dependable defense and security partners. 

“We had a robust discussion on matters appertaining to security with a view of enhancing our ties moving into the future with their Minister for the Armed Forces James Heappey,” Odinga said on Facebook.

Kenya and the UK share a rich history in defense and security matters. British troops train at the Nanyuki army base under an agreement between Kenya and the UK, where the latter can send six infantry battalions annually for eight-week exercises. As part of the agreement, Kenya Defense Forces (KDF) soldiers train with their British counterparts. 

Odinga was accompanied to the meeting by Kenya’s High Commissioner to the UK Manoah Esipisu, Mombasa Governor Ali Hassan Joho, Suna East MP Junet Mohammed and former Gatanga MP Peter Kenneth.

The meeting came on the second day of Odinga’s week-long visit to the UK, where he is expected to meet government officials, businesspeople, and Kenyans living there.

Odinga, who is seeking the presidency under the Azimio La Umoja coalition, is today scheduled to give addresses at the Commonwealth Secretariat and the Royal Institute of International Affairs (Chatham House).