Security Agencies Urge Parliament for Increased Budget to Strengthen National Defence
They emphasized the urgent need to modernize military equipment, bolster border security infrastructure, and improve the welfare of defence personnel.
National Intelligence Service Boss Nordin Haji. Photo/Parliament of Kenya,
By Robert Assad
Kenya’s top security and defence agencies have appealed to the National Assembly Committee on Defence, Intelligence, and Foreign Relations for increased funding in the upcoming 2025/2026 financial year, citing mounting security threats and operational demands.
During a budget scrutiny session held at Parliament Buildings on Monday, key presentations were made by the Ministry of Defence (MoD), the National Intelligence Service (NIS), and the State Department for East African Community (EAC). The session was chaired by Belgut MP Hon. Nelson Koech.
Principal Secretary for Defence, Dr. Patrick Mariru, and Vice Chief of Defence Forces, Lt. Gen. Mugaravai Omenda, led the delegation from the MoD. They emphasized the urgent need to modernize military equipment, bolster border security infrastructure, and improve the welfare of defence personnel.
“Our armed forces are increasingly being called upon to respond to diverse threats. We need to ensure they are properly equipped and supported,” said Dr. Mariru.
The Director General of the National Intelligence Service, Noordin Haji, painted a stark picture of the challenges facing the country’s intelligence and national security apparatus.
He cited a growing threat from terrorism, cybercrime, and the spread of disinformation, warning that funding shortfalls could significantly impair the NIS’s operational capabilities.
“For intelligence to be actionable, our frontline security agencies must also be sufficiently resourced to respond effectively,” said Mr. Haji. “Our national security organs must be fully funded to execute their constitutional mandate.”
Haji disclosed that the NIS had requested KSh 65 billion for the 2024/2025 financial year, but only KSh 51 billion was allocated, leaving a deficit of KSh 14 billion. He urged lawmakers to consider bridging the gap, stressing that sufficient funding is vital for safeguarding Kenya’s sovereignty and protecting its citizens in a fast-evolving security landscape.
Also present was Dr. Caroline Karugu, Principal Secretary for the State Department for EAC, who made a strong case for additional funding to advance Kenya’s regional economic and diplomatic interests.
“The East African Community remains a critical pillar in our trade and foreign policy strategies. If we want to benefit from this market, we must invest in it,” Dr. Karugu told the committee.
The Defence Committee is expected to continue its budget hearings on Tuesday, with submissions from the State Department for Foreign Affairs and the State Department for Diaspora Affairs.
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