Kenya’s military set for massive expansion, policy says

Kenya’s military is set for massive expansion in capacity and capability so as to place it in a better position to face other large militaries and protect the country in the event of a foreign attack, a new report has said.

The National Defence Policy, launched by President Uhuru Kenyatta on Wednesday, said Kenya should not lose focus of other large militaries within East African region.

“In the past, our forces and overall capacity has been small and fairly limited in scope. Increasing conflicts have compelled Kenya to review her ability to defend the nation against more threatening aspects of these conflicts. In response to these threats, our defence forces have to expand both in capacity and capability,” said the President while introducing the document.

He added: “Our military posture will remain defensive, however, should our nation be subjected to aggression, our forces should be able to deal with the aggressor decisively.”

The white paper, as the policy is referred to in military parlance, then delves into the security threats facing the country and the measures that should be set in motion in the event they escalate into full-blown conflict.

'ENCOURAGED GROWTH'

Regarding other armies in the region, it said: “The turmoil of 1970s (in the region) encouraged growth of large military forces in the region and in recent times, many of these forces have been reorganised and modernised. The sizes and capabilities of these forces exceed the need for legitimate defence. Some are engaged in internal security duties of their respective countries while others have found use outside national borders. The continued presence of these forces should be of concern to us.”

The document is, however, critical of Kenya Defence Forces intervention whenever there are disagreements, saying Kenya will pursue diplomatic means as the first line of defence to resolve problems that may arise with other countries.

But even as the peaceful means are pursued, the might of KDF would always remain a heartbeat away, ready for prompt deployment in the event peace talks fail, said the document. “We have no undue reason to doubt the sincerity of our neighbours’ intentions to live in peace with us. Nonetheless, Kenya reserves the sovereign right to resort to the use of force to protect her interests,” it said.

The report also said Kenya will not encourage an arms race among countries since the region is at peace.

EXPANDING MASSIVELY

It comes at a time KDF is expanding massively in terms of equipment acquisition.

Recently, Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (Sipri), an independent global security think-tank, revealed Kenya’s military spending last year rose to a new high of Sh96 billion.

At $933 million (Sh96 billion), Kenya’s military spending is more than the $469 million (Sh48.3 billion) and $403 million (Sh41.5 billion) that Ethiopia and Uganda spent respectively in their defence budget last year, the Sipri report shows.

Tanzania stands behind Kenya in the region’s military spending order, having spent $544 million (Sh56 billion) on defence.

The President directed that the provisions in the document must be interpreted and implemented “in the spirit of true patriotism”.

On May 2, the US government cleared the sale of 12 new American-made light attack helicopter gunships to Kenya.

The US State Department said the deal is estimated to be worth $253 million (Sh26 billion) and includes MD530F Cayuse Warrior light attack helicopters, machine gun pod systems, rocket launcher systems and assorted ammunition.

In a statement, the US Defence Security Cooperation Agency said it notified the country’s congress on May 1.

WEAPONISED HELICOPTERS

The deal involves the supply of the 12 MD530F weaponised helicopters, 24 heavy machine gun pods, 24 HMP400 machine gun pod systems, 24 M260 rocket pods and 4,032 M151 high-explosive rockets.

Others are 1,536 M274 smoke rockets, 400,000 rounds of .50 calibre ammunition and communications/navigation equipment.

The White Paper, the first to be made public, further provides a guide on how the military and other security agencies should be deployed to defend the country.

“We shall cooperate with all those willing to cooperate with us and respect the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all (other) states. We shall spare no effort in promoting peace. But we are equally determined to use all means at our disposal including military force to uphold our sovereignty and the security of our people,” the report stated.

And whenever force is applied, desired results should be achieved in the shortest time possible and peace efforts restarted, it added.

The report noted that due to globalisation, a security situation in far ends of the world affects Kenya too and called for military collaboration with other countries.

Top military generals and other security chiefs were present when the President launched the report at the National Defence College in Karen, Nairobi.

NATIONAL PRIDE

It identified Kenya’s apex interests as political independence, integrity of the State’s boundaries, economic prosperity of the people and national pride.

Going by the 2011 census, the report said 12 million Kenyans were fit for military service “while about 800,000 Kenyans attain the mandatory military age (18 years) age annually”.

It rallied upon not only the military, but every Kenyan’s patriotism to guarantee the nation is defended.

“In peacetime, a balance of power that does not encourage an arms race and a defence capability that is convincing enough to deter coercion or aggression. There should be quick response to threats without risking escalation of the level of conflict,” the report said.

Military acquisitions in Kenya are usually kept secret but those sourced from the US are made public because of legal obligations that govern the superpower.

Another acquisition in the pipeline is that of attack aircraft worth $418 million (Sh43.1 billion), also from the US.

The deal includes delivery of 12 Air Tractor AT-802L planes and two AT-504 trainer aircraft. These types were originally built as an agricultural, unarmed aircraft which have been used around the world fighting forest fires but armoured models have found use in militaries.

ETHNIC TENSIONS

At home, the report notes Kenya’s security is threatened by ethnic and political tensions, which result in tribal conflicts and clashes.

Other local threats are radicalisation, religious intolerance, drug trafficking, alcohol and drug abuse, corruption, youth unemployment, HIV and Aids, poverty, environmental degradation, organised crime, as well as natural and man-made disasters.

The document further drummed support for creation of a military reserve force.

It said: “The need for cost-effectiveness dictates that a large portion of our country’s military strength is kept in reserve. They provide pre-trained manpower which can quickly integrate with regular forces without recourse to initial training.”

The report added that in wartime they can be deployed as replacement for combat losses.

Reserves also come in handy in garrison duties, manning air defences, internal security and guarding key points such as supply depots thus “freeing regular troops”.