AUSSOM trains Kenyan troops in healthcare skills to promote regional stability

Dhobley, 1 April 2026 – Eighteen local and partner-force trainees marked a major step toward stronger regional healthcare today as Kenya’s AUSSOM contingent in Dhobley celebrated the fourth graduation of its Civil-Military Cooperation (CIMIC) Medical Mentorship Programme.

This year’s programme had 18 trainees graduate after completing training and guidance from AUSSOM-Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) medical experts.

The CIMIC Medical Mentorship Programme is an annual project that provides trainees from the local community and partner forces; the Somali National Armed Forces and the Jubaland Security Forces; with essential medical skills.

By providing hands-on training and sharing knowledge, the programme improves healthcare in the community and strengthens medical response skills among partner security forces.

The graduates completed seven months of classroom-based and practical training in key areas, including midwifery, surgical nursing, wound care, laboratory technology, nutrition, and combat medical support.

At the ceremony, the Commanding Officer of Level II Hospital, Lt Col. Charles Chemweno, commended the graduates, saying the skills they had gained would improve community health.

“As you graduate today, you are a vital step toward a stronger and more resilient healthcare system in the community. We are proud to equip these young trainees with skills that will improve lives by strengthening the capacity of Dhobley General Hospital and Somalia Security Forces,” Lt. Col. Chemweno said.

He also urged the graduates to use their newly acquired skills to improve the lives of the communities they serve and ensure high healthcare standards.

The Commandant of the Dhobley Military Operation Base (DMOB), Col. Maurice Wasomi, commended the mentees for their dedication and resilience, noting that their success strengthens the hospital and wider community.

Col. Wasomi also highlighted the importance of AUSSOM-KDF, the trainees, and the Somali Security Forces collaborating to build sustainable healthcare capacity.

“The presence of commanders attests to the strong cooperation between AUSSOM Forces and Somali Security Forces in building sustainable healthcare capacity, enhancing community resilience, and ensuring security while supporting local healthcare development,” he added.

The graduation marks another milestone for AUSSOM-KDF in advancing community-focused capacity building.

By investing in local medical skills and knowledge, the programme is improving access to quality healthcare in the region.

Present at the graduation ceremony were the Commanding Officer of the Somali National Armed Forces, Maj. Qorane Rabi Abdi, and the Commanding Officer of the Jubaland Intelligence Security Agency (JISA), Maj. Abdullahi Ibrahim Hassan.

Other officials included the Officer in Charge of Dhobley Police Station, Chief Inspector Hassan Abdi Ahmed; the Dhobley District Medical Officer, a representative from the Jubaland State’s Ministry of Health, Dekow Ahmed; and the Deputy District Commissioner for Dhobley, Muktar Mohamud.

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