Maseno, Danish college to launch security course

 

The verandah is covered in climbers called Lady Slipers and Salandra or Cup of gold. Photo/Margaretta wa Gacheru 

By ANITA CHEPKOECH

Maseno University has launched a course in security targeting the military, police, National Youth Service, private practitioners and other agencies as the threat of terrorism grows in East Africa.

The institution signed a memorandum of understanding with a Danish defence college start offering a certificate course jointly.

Deputy vice-chancellor George Onyango said they are using the strategic and national security course to roll out degree programmes in advanced military science.

East Africa, especially Kenya, has become keen on security since the Kenya Defence Forces pursued the militant group Al-Shabaab into Somalia, raising the demand for water-tight security in steps to keep terrorists at bay.

Maseno’s School of Development and Strategic Studies is collaborating with Royal Danish Defence College to offer the course from September 2014.

Vice-Chancellor Domnic Makawiti, while receiving a donation of equipment worth Sh1.7 million said the centre would serve the East African region.

“Maseno, being at the epicentre of East Africa, the university hopes to reach out to students across the board as an avenue to broaden the scope of the rare course,” he said.

“The research centre to be established for national strategy and security will then be open to students and other relevant agencies from the region.”

Speaking on behalf of the Danish college, Major Henry Laugessen said that the institution would donate books worth $1,500 as well as provide four lecturers for the programme.

“The Danish college has established networks in Kenya and has a bilateral agreement with the Kenyan Navy among other central security institutions,” he said.

He said the institution also offers a three-day security training in collaboration University of Nairobi, Kenyatta University and Maseno annually “but the course to be launched in Maseno is an exclusive window to look into greater security partnerships”.