The East African Community (EAC) has launched a major three-week joint military exercise in Nairobi aimed at strengthening regional cooperation and improving preparedness against growing security threats across the bloc. The exercise, the 14th edition of the Command Post Exercise known as USHIRIKIANO IMARA 2026, officially opened on Monday at the Humanitarian Peace Support School in Embakasi. It brings together 342 participants from five EAC member states Rwanda, Kenya, Burundi, Uganda, and Tanzania, with Somalia taking part as an observer. Held under the theme “Enhancing Regional Cooperation

The East African Community (EAC) has launched a major three-week joint military exercise in Nairobi aimed at strengthening regional cooperation and improving preparedness against growing security threats across the bloc.

The exercise, the 14th edition of the Command Post Exercise known as USHIRIKIANO IMARA 2026, officially opened on Monday at the Humanitarian Peace Support School in Embakasi.

It brings together 342 participants from five EAC member states Rwanda, Kenya, Burundi, Uganda, and Tanzania, with Somalia taking part as an observer.

Held under the theme “Enhancing Regional Cooperation and Readiness for Peace, Security, and Resilience,” the exercise is designed to test how well regional forces can plan and respond together in complex security situations.

Participants include military officers, police units, and civilian experts drawn from peace and security institutions across the region. The training uses simulation-based operations and joint planning drills to improve coordination, command-and-control systems, and interoperability among member states.

Officials say the exercise comes at a critical time, as East Africa continues to face rising threats including terrorism, transnational organized crime, and cyber security challenges.

They emphasized that such risks increasingly require coordinated regional responses rather than isolated national efforts.

Speaking at the opening ceremony, Kenya’s Head of Mission at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Lindsay Kiptiness, said the exercise reflects the EAC’s commitment to building a unified and responsive security framework.

He noted that regular joint training is essential for strengthening preparedness and ensuring rapid response capabilities across the region.

Ambassador Lindsay Kiptiness addresses the EAC USHIRIKIANO IMARA 2026 defense exercise in Nairobi, Kenya

USHIRIKIANO IMARA remains the EAC’s flagship military readiness platform, aimed at harmonizing operational doctrines and building professional ties among armed forces.

Beyond training, the exercise also helps prepare the region for possible joint deployments in future peace support operations, reinforcing the EAC’s vision of collective security and stability.

A little more informed. A little more connected.