On 4 March 2026, Mashariki Research and Policy Centre (MRPC) held a high-level consultative meeting with the National Defence University–Kenya (NDU–K) at the university’s headquarters in Lanet, Nakuru.

The engagement brought together institutional leadership and senior representatives from both organisations to deliberate on opportunities for structured collaboration in research, policy engagement, and capacity development.

Discussions focused on strengthening linkages between MRPC and NDU–K while exploring areas of mutual interest in security studies, governance, and strategic affairs. The meeting examined avenues for advancing joint research initiatives and fostering stronger collaboration between policy research and academic institutions.

Participants considered practical pathways for collaboration, including the establishment of research consortia, joint consultancies, co-hosting of strategic dialogue platforms such as symposiums and conferences, collaborative publications, and coordinated dissemination of policy and research outputs. Opportunities for joint project development and competitive research bidding were also explored.

The MRPC delegation was led by Brig (Rtd) Dr. Robert Kabage, the Centre’s Chief Executive Officer. The NDU–K delegation was led by Maj. Gen. Joyce Sitienei, Deputy Vice-Chancellor in charge of the Centre for Security and Strategic Studies (CSSS), who represented the University Vice-Chancellor, Lt. Gen. David Tarus.

The meeting reaffirmed the shared commitment of MRPC and NDU–K to strengthening institutional partnership and intellectual exchange. As a way forward, both institutions expressed readiness to formalise areas of collaboration aimed at advancing strategic research, supporting evidence-based policy development, and contributing to informed responses to evolving security challenges.