In the framework of cooperation activities with the Kenyan armed forces, and particularly under the framework of teaching the French language in the military milieu, the Military Mission at the French Embassy in Nairobi is involved in teaching action at the Nairobi based military school, Armed Forces School of Higher Education.

For many years, the military mission has sent a teacher of French as a foreign language to the school, with the objective of teaching the French language to the young Kenyan military officers and non commissioned officers. This is done in different levels. About 50 military officers are thus taught each year.

From left to right : Ms. Frédérique Wagner, Colonel Robert Esposti, Defense Attaché of the French Embassy and colonel Jo Akhulia, commandant of the AFSHE

The Kenyan military officers are very interested in this course. The officers who attain a good command of the language have an opportunity of furthering the course in France (for instance, 1 place is reserved for them each year at the Collège Interarmées de Défense in France). Knowledge of the French language is also important for the Kenyan military officers who are sometimes sent to work in francophone African countries or in the UN where the French language is actively used.

Colonel Robert Esposti, Defense Attaché of the French Embassy and colonel Jo Akhulia, commandant of the AFSHE

This year, in the wish to improve this learning, the Military mission offered AFSHE some books in French, in order to create a Francophone section in the school’s library. The Commandant of the school, Colonel AKHULIA, and the students greatly appreciated this gesture, aimed at quenching their thirst for the language of Molière…