Defence PS seeks Sh40.7 billion for military projects

Defence PS Patrick Mariru when he appeared before the Public Accounts Committee at Bunge Towers, Nairobi. on February 5, 2025. [File, Standard)

Defence Principal Secretary Patrick Mariru has told Parliament that the military urgently requires the remaining Sh40.7 billion out of its Sh204.5 billion budget for the financial year 2024/25 to complete various projects before the end of the financial year on June 30.

Mariru, who appeared before the National Assembly Defence, Intelligence and Foreign Relations Committee chaired by Belgut MP Nelson Koech, said the military needs to complete ongoing projects.

The Defence PS said KDF closed the last financial year with Sh22.5 billion in bills, of which Sh18.8 billion has already been cleared, and they hope to settle the remaining amount if the exchequer allocates the outstanding Sh40.7 billion.

"I would like to inform Parliament that the Kenya Defence Forces has already received Sh163.8 billion from the national exchequer for the financial year 2024/25, which has been utilised in several activities to ensure our military is in a state of preparedness to defend the country," said Mariru.

Mariru told the committee that the military requires Sh2 billion for the recruitment of soldiers, Sh1 billion for the maintenance of major assets and equipment, and Sh500 million for land required by the Kenya Shipyard Ltd, with the remaining amount being critical to achieving these goals.

The Vice Chief of Defence Forces, Lt-Gen John Omenda, emphasised the need for the military to receive more funding for recruitment, noting the importance of replacing officers who have retired or exited service due to death or other circumstances, in order to ensure adequate staffing.

Omenda told the committee that the military failed to conduct recruitment between 1992 and 1997, and again between 1998 and 2002, leading to a significant staffing gap that has affected service delivery.

"We urgently need to recruit so that we can have young officers filling the lower ranks of the military, since we cannot promote those who have served for some time to the next level if this is not done," he said.

Kajiado Central MP Memusi Kanchory sought to know the amount of money required to train a recruit, noting the military's intention to take in 10,000 recruits.

Shinyalu MP Fred Ikana asked what steps the military was taking to modernise the air force, which is reported to have aircraft in poor condition, putting at risk the lives of soldiers and other Kenyans, and leaving the force ill-prepared to defend the country.