Kenya seeks stronger China, E. Africa partnership against terrorism

LIANYUNGANG, China—Kenya has reaffirmed its commitment to deepening security cooperation with China and East African countries as regional states seek stronger joint efforts against terrorism, radicalisation and violent extremism.

The commitment was made during the 3rd China–Eastern Africa Police Chiefs Cooperation Organization (EAPCCO) Ministerial Dialogue in Lianyungang, China, where Kenyan officials joined other regional security representatives for discussions on strengthening security cooperation.

Kenya said it remains committed to working with China and EAPCCO to prevent terrorism and radicalisation, saying stronger partnerships are critical to building a safer country and a more peaceful region.

The Kenyan delegation includes National Police Service Inspector General Douglas Kanja, Kenya’s Chargé d’Affaires in China Lynette Mwende Ndile and NPS Accounting Officer Bernice Lemedeket, among other officials.

The dialogue comes against the backdrop of growing security concerns across Eastern Africa, where terrorism, violent extremism, organised crime and other forms of transnational crime continue to require cooperation beyond individual national borders.

EAPCCO provides a regional platform for police institutions to share information, strengthen investigations and coordinate responses to cross-border security threats.

The China-EAPCCO security partnership has also expanded through ministerial engagements and law-enforcement cooperation. The second China-EAPCCO Ministerial Dialogue was held in Kigali, Rwanda, in November 2025.

The latest meeting in China provides another opportunity for Kenya and other East African countries to engage Beijing on security cooperation, including counter-terrorism and strengthening the capacity of law-enforcement agencies.

The engagement is also linked to broader China-Africa cooperation under the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation, which includes commitments to strengthen security dialogue and cooperation against transnational crime.

For Kenya, the partnership comes as the country continues to strengthen its capacity to prevent terrorism and violent extremism while working with regional and international partners on emerging security threats.

The Lianyungang dialogue is therefore expected to further strengthen cooperation between China and East African security agencies as the region seeks coordinated approaches to threats that increasingly cross national borders.