Funding dilemma amid rising complex security threats

President William Ruto inspects a guard of honor during the Cadet Commissioning Parade at the Kenya Military Academy in Lanet, Nakuru County. 16/4/2025. [PHOTO EDWARD ALUSA/PCS.] 

The growing threat of armed groups in East Africa, including Al-Shabaab, acquiring drones and autonomous weapons powered by artificial intelligence, is today expected to put Treasury under scrutiny as observers await measures to modernise the country’s security infrastructure.

Ukraine’s recent drone attack on Russia highlighted the potency of weaponised Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS), both on and off the battlefield.

In Africa, experts have warned of a rapidly expanding use of UAS by nine armed groups across Burkina Faso, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Kenya, Libya, Mali, Mozambique, Nigeria, Somalia, and Sudan.

“Africa should take note of how new technologies enable threat actors to project power in the air and on the ground,” the Institute of Security Studies (ISS) said this week.

“The affordability of drones and the transfer of know-how between armed groups and their affiliates make the prospect of drones being integrated into their arsenals increasingly likely,” the think tank added.

Kenya’s military relies on a mix of outdated equipment, donations, and limited new acquisitions. The same applies to the National Police Service, whose forensic laboratory remains incomplete nearly five years after its launch.

Amid growing internal and border security threats, senior security officials recently criticised the state’s commitment, urging greater budgetary allocations to a sector already receiving hundreds of billions annually.

Their concerns were echoed by Treasury CS John Mbadi, who two weeks ago urged Kenyans not to complain about security spending as long as it enhances safety.

“You are only able to enjoy your education in an environment that is secure and peaceful... We can only complain about how effective is this allocation,” said Mbadi, who is set to present his first budget following last year’s Gen Z-led protests.

Kenya’s security budget has increased steadily since the 1998 US Embassy bombing in Nairobi. Over the past 14 years, it has risen from Sh78 billion (2011/12) to Sh377 billion in both the 2023/24 and 2024/25 budgets.

In just the last five years, the government has spent Sh1.6 trillion on security, with more than two-thirds going to the Ministry of Defence and the National Police Service.

Treasury allocation

In 2024, Treasury allocated Sh173 billion to Defence, Sh110 billion to Police, Sh46.3 billion to the National Intelligence Service (NIS), and Sh32.7 billion to Kenya Prisons. The proposed 2025 budget increases these to Sh200 billion for Defence, Sh125 billion for Police, Sh37 billion for Prisons, and Sh51 billion for NIS.

These massive allocations have sparked debate, with critics arguing that funds should prioritise underfunded sectors such as health and education.

During a Finance Bill public participation forum in Nyeri, Mukurwe-ini MP John Kaguchia called for a realignment of budget priorities.

“I urge the government to scale down these allocations to the NIS, Executive offices, Defence, and the Public Service and redirect funds to critical sectors like Agriculture, Health, and Education,” he said.

Security chiefs, however, insist the money is insufficient.

“Over the past decade, the security sector has not received sufficient funding to procure the necessary equipment to defend the country. This should not be taken lightly,” NIS Director General Noordin Haji told Parliament last month after MPs declined to increase the agency’s budget.

Haji noted that a large portion of the security budget goes to salaries, with the remainder used for equipment, capacity building, surveillance, intelligence, and logistics.