In 2025, the celebrates the 10th anniversary of its flagship Triangular Partnership Programme (TPP). Since its inception, Kenya has stood out as one of its most consistent partners. Kenya¡¯s evolving role¡ªfrom participant and host to co-trainer and expertise provider¡ªhas not only helped shape the programme¡¯s development but has also advanced peacekeeping readiness across Africa and beyond.
Established in 2015, the TPP was created to address critical capability gaps in UN peacekeeping missions by providing specialised training in engineering, medical support, and C4ISR, further expanding to conduct counter-improvised explosive device (C-IED) training in cooperation with the UN Mine Action Service. The programme operates through a triangular cooperation model, bringing together the UN Secretariat, supporting Member States, and Troop- and Police-Contributing Countries (T/PCCs) to co-develop and deliver training tailored to operational needs. Regional partnerships, including with the African Union (AU), further enhance the programme¡¯s reach and impact.
Kenya has played a pivotal role in TPP¡¯s trajectory afrom the very beginning. Simultaneously serving as a training host, within the International Peace Support Training Centre and Humanitarian Peace Support School, and participant, Kenya began by sending personnel to engineering courses while also offering its facilities to support the growing programme. In 2019, five Kenyan personnel completed the Heavy Engineering Equipment (HEE) Operators¡¯ Training of Trainers (ToT) Course with distinction. They would go on to serve as co-trainers on four subsequent courses, contributing regional expertise and reinforcing a sustainable training ecosystem across Africa. Since 2015, Kenya has hosted 27 TPP training events¡ªprimarily in engineering¡ªtraining 611 personnel from 19 Member States as of [TBD].
Over time, Kenya¡¯s leadership deepened across multiple training pillars, most notably in counter-IED and AU-focused deployments. In October 2023, Kenya hosted the TPP C-IED Workshop, in partnership with the UN Mine Action Service (UNMAS), laying the groundwork for a more integrated training approach. This led to TPP¡¯s first cross-pillar pilot in June 2024, which combined the HEE Operators¡¯ Course with Explosive Hazard Awareness Training (EHAT). Kenyan instructors led the EHAT component, showcasing the country¡¯s growing leadership in C-IED capacity building. Building on this momentum, 2025 saw the launch of the All-Arms Search Course Training of Trainers (ToT), a joint effort by UNMAS and the TPP in partnership with Kenya¡¯s International Peace Support Training Centre (IPSTC). Targeting 16 African Member States. ?This initiative further cements Kenya¡¯s role as a regional hub for C-IED preparedness and AU Peace Support Operations (PSOs) capacity development.
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Kenya¡¯s field experience continues to enrich its contributions to TPP. As a top five contributor to the African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM) and its predecessor the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS), Kenya brings critical insights from real-world deployments into the classroom¡ªbridging policy, training, and practice. It has also demonstrated strong commitment to inclusive peacekeeping. With 17 female participants, Kenya holds the record for the highest number of women trained in TPP engineering courses, setting an important precedent for gender representation in uniformed operations.
In June 2025, Kenya¡¯s longstanding partnership with TPP will culminate in hosting the TPP Stakeholders¡¯ Workshop in Nairobi from 24 to 26 June. Co-chaired by Switzerland, the event will convene Member States to commemorate TPP¡¯s 10th anniversary, reflect on shared progress, and chart the programme¡¯s strategic trajectory. The choice of Nairobi as host is both timely and symbolic, underscoring Kenya¡¯s leadership in operational training and regional peacekeeping cooperation.
Looking ahead, Kenya is set to host four major TPP training events, with training teams from Brazil, Japan, and Switzerland, in 2025, including for Engineering Project Management, and HEE and EHAT courses tailored for AU TCCs deploying to AUSSOM. Kenya¡¯s decade-long journey with the Triangular Partnership Programme exemplifies the power of regional leadership, operational experience, and sustained international cooperation. From participant and host to expertise provider, Kenya¡¯s role in the TPP stands as a model for how Member States can leverage partnership to drive innovation and resilience in peace operations.
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