KDF Breaks Ground for New Ammunition Factory in Eldoret to Boost Local Defence Production
Speaking after the ceremony, General Kahariri praised KOFC for its achievements and reaffirmed the strategic importance of expanding Kenya’s local defence industrial base.
Photo: Courtesy.
By Robert Mutasi
The Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) has broken ground for a new ammunition production facility at the Kenya Ordnance Factories Corporation (KOFC) in Eldoret, in a move aimed at strengthening Kenya’s local defence manufacturing capacity and reducing over-reliance on imported military supplies.
The groundbreaking ceremony was officiated by the Chief of Defence Forces (CDF), General Charles Kahariri, after he chaired the 73rd KOFC Board of Directors meeting where senior military leaders reviewed the corporation’s strategic progress and ongoing modernisation plans.
According to a statement from the military, the new production line is part of a broader programme to upgrade KOFC’s manufacturing capabilities as Kenya seeks to build a more self-reliant defence industry capable of meeting the operational needs of its security agencies.
The project will complement the refurbishment of the existing ammunition production facility and is expected to significantly increase the corporation’s manufacturing capacity once completed.
“The modernisation programme is being implemented in three phases, with the first phase already underway and full completion targeted for the 2027/2028 Financial Year,” KDF said in a statement.
“Once complete, the integrated upgrades are projected to increase production capacity by approximately 35 percent while enhancing the consistent production of high-quality small arms ammunition and related auxiliary products to support KDF operations,” the military added.
The KDF said the investment is part of its long-term strategy to strengthen indigenous defence manufacturing, arguing that expanding local production is essential in ensuring uninterrupted access to critical military equipment amid evolving security challenges.
Military planners have increasingly emphasised domestic production as a way of reducing exposure to disruptions in global supply chains while enhancing operational readiness and national security.
Speaking after the ceremony, General Kahariri praised KOFC for its achievements and reaffirmed the strategic importance of expanding Kenya’s local defence industrial base. He said the corporation plays a critical role in supporting the operational effectiveness of the Kenya Defence Forces and urged its personnel to uphold military values of discipline, professionalism and dedication as it undertakes the ambitious expansion.
He noted that these values would remain essential in ensuring the success of the modernisation project and positioning KOFC as a key pillar of Kenya’s defence capability.
The military also noted that strengthening local production would contribute to long-term strategic sustainability by ensuring essential defence requirements can increasingly be met through indigenous manufacturing rather than external procurement.
The Eldoret-based KOFC is Kenya’s premier ordnance factory and has been undergoing phased modernisation to meet emerging operational requirements for the KDF and other security agencies.
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