Nairobi — The UK and Kenya have signed new agreements that will boost cooperation on security.

The agreements were signed between UK's Security Minister, Tom Tugendhat MP and his Kenyan counterpart for the Interior and National Administration docket, Professor Kithure Kindiki.

The agreements include commitments on counter-terrorism (worth KES 1.7 billion a year), defence, international cooperation, community security, law enforcement and criminal justice, cyber security and bilateral, multilateral and regional coordination.

The UK's Security Minister, Tugendhat MP, said: "Kenya matters to Britain. Seeing Kenyan troops march alongside other Commonwealth forces at HM The King's Coronation was a reminder of our shared history and the promise of a strong future. "By working with Kenya, our key security partner in East Africa, we are helping to keep both our peoples safe."

The two Ministers held bilateral talks that focus on community security, prevention of violent extremism, counterterrorism, regional security, immigration crimes, cyber security, serious organised crime, child protection and movement of illicit commodities.

"Kenya and the UK acknowledge the changing face of National, Regional and Global security threats and the need for cooperation and strengthened partnership to tackle these challenges," Kindiki said.

Kindiki was accompanied by Principal Secretary Dr. Raymond Omolo and Immigration Principal Secretary Prof. Julius Bitok while the visiting UK Minister was flanked by outgoing British High Commissioner Jane Marriot.