The Military Wives Association of Kenya (MWAK) on 20 and 21 March 2025 hosted the Malawi Defence Forces Spouse Association (MDFSA) for a benchmarking visit in Nairobi, the visit aimed to share best practices in enhancing the welfare of both associations.
Mrs. Grace Kahariri, Chairlady of MWAK, warmly welcomed Mrs. Twambilile Phiri, Chairlady of MDFSA, emphasizing the value of such exchanges in promoting learning, idea sharing, and collaboration on empowerment programs. The visit enabled them to compare, evaluate, and identify initiatives that could benefit both MWAK and MDFSA, with a focus on empowering military spouses, their families and improving their well-being.
Mrs. Phiri expressed her gratitude to Mrs. Kahariri for the warm reception and the insightful engagements. She was particularly impressed by the effective projects MWAK has successfully implemented over the years, underscoring the importance of such initiatives in supporting the community of military spouses.
At the Uhuru Gardens Museum and Monument (UGMM), the delegation had the opportunity to explore Kenya’s rich cultural heritage, further enriching their visit with a deeper understanding of the country’s history
The delegation visited the Kahawa Garrison, where they were received by the Garrison Commander, Brigadier Mathew Lenamunai.
During the visit, they toured the Kahawa Garrison Primary School’s Special Needs Unit, where MWAK has undertaken refurbishments and given the facility a facelift to better serve children with special needs.
The group finally visited Embakasi Garrison, where they were received by the Managing Director, Defence Forces Welfare Services (DEFWES) Brigadier Peter Limo. There, they learned about MWAK’s successful Widows Empowerment Program, which runs a hotel managed by widows, providing them with sustainable livelihoods.
Both associations exchanged strategic plans, discussed their achievements, addressed shared challenges, and explored prospects for future collaborations. The visit underscored the importance of strengthening bonds between military spouse associations across nations and continuing to develop programs that uplift and empower those who support their countries’ Defence forces.
