Proposed regional command post exercise could bring 2,300 military, police and civilian participants from eight EAC Partner States to Kisumu for three weeks.
ASAL POST | NATIONAL NEWS
KISUMU, Kenya – August 21, 2026: Kisumu Governor Prof. Anyang’ Nyong’o has held talks with a delegation from the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) ahead of a proposal for Kisumu County to host the East African Community (EAC) Command Post Exercise Ushirikiano Imara 2027.
The delegation, representing the Chief of the Defence Forces (CDF), General Charles Kahariri, met Governor Nyong’o at his Town Hall office on Friday as discussions on the proposed regional exercise continued.
The meeting primarily focused on the proposal for Kisumu to host the Ushirikiano Imara 2027 exercise, a political, multinational and multi-sectoral command post exercise bringing together military, police and civilian actors from the eight EAC Partner States.
The exercise is designed to strengthen regional operational capability and preparedness, with particular emphasis on counter-terrorism, counter-piracy, disaster management and humanitarian response.
2,300 Participants Could Converge in Kisumu
Governor Nyong’o said Kisumu could become a major regional meeting point for approximately 2,300 participants over a period of about three weeks if the county is selected to host the exercise.
Participants are expected to come from Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, South Sudan, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Rwanda, Burundi and Somalia.
“For approximately three weeks, Kisumu could become a meeting point for an estimated 2,300 participants,” Nyong’o said.
The Governor noted that the proposed exercise would come 10 years after Kenya last hosted the activity in the Coast region.
Beyond its security and preparedness objectives, Nyong’o said hosting the exercise would provide Kisumu with an opportunity to showcase its capacity as a regional destination while generating economic benefits for local businesses.
Kisumu Businesses Could Benefit
Nyong’o highlighted hospitality, tourism, transport, trade and small businesses as some of the sectors that could benefit from the expected influx of visitors.
“Thousands of visitors moving through our city means more customers for our hotels, restaurants, transport operators, traders and other service providers,” he said.
The Governor said the presence of thousands of participants and visitors could increase demand for accommodation, food, transportation and other services during the three-week exercise.
The event could also provide an opportunity for Kisumu to strengthen its profile as a destination capable of hosting major national, regional and international engagements.
County Pledges Preparedness
Nyong’o said Kisumu County would work closely with all relevant stakeholders to ensure the necessary preparations are undertaken should the city be selected to host the exercise.
He said the county would seek to deliver an event of such regional significance with the professionalism, hospitality and confidence that defines Kisumu.
The KDF delegation was represented by Colonel Charles Imbo, Colonel Richard Omondi and Lieutenant Colonel Jackson Musyoki.
Governor Nyong’o was accompanied by CECM in charge of Training John Awiti and other county government officials.
Focus on Regional Security and Preparedness
The Ushirikiano Imara exercise brings together security and civilian stakeholders to strengthen coordination, interoperability and preparedness among EAC Partner States.
The exercise provides a platform for participating countries to test their ability to work together in responding to complex security, disaster and humanitarian situations.
For Kisumu, hosting the 2027 edition would place the city at the centre of a major regional engagement involving military, police and civilian actors from across East Africa.
The proposed hosting would also provide an opportunity for local institutions and businesses to engage with regional stakeholders while showcasing Kisumu’s infrastructure, hospitality industry and tourism potential.
Kisumu Hosting Proposal Yet to Be Confirmed
While discussions on Kisumu’s potential to host the exercise are underway, the meeting does not by itself constitute final confirmation that the city has been selected as the host.
The engagement between Governor Nyong’o and the KDF delegation is part of the preparations and consultations surrounding the proposed hosting of Ushirikiano Imara 2027.
If selected, Kisumu would be expected to work with national security agencies, EAC institutions, county departments and other stakeholders to ensure adequate logistical, security and operational arrangements for the three-week regional exercise.
The proposed event would mark a significant opportunity for Kisumu to host a major East African engagement while strengthening regional cooperation in security, disaster preparedness and humanitarian response.
