UK ISAR deployed to Nairobi on 12 January to deliver a ten-day capacity-building programme with the Kenyan Disaster Response Battalion (DRB) and the National Disaster Management Unit (NDMU).
Following a scoping visit in 2023 and earlier assessment training in 2025, several personnel were identified as potential trainers. This programme focused on strengthening their skills and supporting Kenya’s progress towards a national accreditation process and future international classification planning.
Although UK ISAR is not an appointed mentor under INSARAG, the team worked alongside local partners to share knowledge, develop instructor capability and build sustainable in-country expertise.
The course brought together 40 participants, split into Red and Blue syndicates, covering the four core disciplines of Technical Search, Shoring, Lifting & Moving, and Breaching & Breaking, culminating in a full scenario exercise and gap analysis.
By investing in local trainers and systems, the focus remains simple: strengthening national resilience and helping teams save more lives when disaster strikes.
