Kenya Spends US$1 Billion On Military

Kenya’s military spending has reached new heights, with Sh109.7 billion spent last year, up from Sh101.5 billion in 2017. 

According to research by the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (Sipri), Kenya’s spending stands in stark comparison to that of the Sh67.5 billion spent by Tanzania, and the Sh40.8 billion spent by Uganda. 

Kenya leads the way both in terms of budget size and annual spending growth, although Uganda has also been increasing its firepower.

Sipri researcher Dr Nan Tian noted the considerable donations that both Kenya and Uganda have received as part of their efforts to battle Al-Shabaab militants in Somalia.

"Equipment was donated, as aid or peace keeping operations, to Uganda and Kenya last year, with Kampala bagging five Bell Huey helicopters worth Sh40 billion. It also received the Bastion APC from France that was leased and financed by the US for AMISOM operations,” Dr Tian noted.

"In Kenya, there were also the Bell helicopters and AS-350 Fennec helicopters given as aid. These are likely to be used in the fight against Al-Shabaab," he added.

Among the outlays Kenya has made in the past year are orders for six more aircraft.

According to agency Global Firepower Kenya’s military is the 14th most powerful in Africa and the best in the region.