The Director General of the National Intelligence Service (NIS), Noordin Haji, has voiced serious concerns over Kenya’s ability to secure its national borders, citing a critical shortage of modern security equipment. Speaking during a session with the National Assembly’s Departmental Committee on Defence, Intelligence, and Foreign Relations, Haji painted a grim picture of the current state of the country’s defense readiness.
According to Haji, Kenya’s security forces have for years operated under severe financial constraints, preventing them from acquiring the tools and technology necessary to respond effectively to emerging threats along the nation’s borders. He warned that this underinvestment has left border communities vulnerable to external threats from neighboring countries.
“Groups from Uganda, including the Karamojong, are repeatedly crossing into Kenyan territory to conduct cattle raids. These incursions not only threaten the livelihoods of local communities but also challenge our territorial integrity,” Haji explained. “In South Sudan, the uncontrolled spread of small arms is escalating insecurity, while in Ethiopia, groups like the Oromo Liberation Army are encroaching on our land. We are forced to respond, but we lack the basic equipment needed to do so effectively.”
The NIS chief emphasized that the lack of investment in the defense sector is no longer sustainable. He pointed out that some units, including the military, have gone without essential equipment upgrades for over a decade. “If we are truly committed to protecting our citizens and upholding our sovereignty, we must treat national security as a priority. The state of our current equipment is unacceptable,” he stated.
During the session, Haji also revealed that the NIS had initially proposed a budget of Ksh. 65 billion to meet its operational needs, but this was later reduced to Ksh. 51 billion—an amount he said falls short of what is required to address the growing security threats.
Supporting Haji’s sentiments, Defence Principal Secretary Patrick Mariru told the committee that the underfunding of the Ministry of Defence has not only hindered operations but has also disrupted the Kenya Defence Forces’ (KDF) recruitment efforts. “The KDF has not conducted recruitment for the past two financial years due to budgetary limitations,” said Mariru. “This year, it is crucial to resume recruitment, and we are appealing to this committee to assist in securing the necessary funds.”
Mariru further explained that KDF requires approximately Ksh. 2 billion to carry out the 2025 recruitment exercise, noting that training a single recruit costs around Ksh. 2 million over a nine-month period.
Both officials urged lawmakers to urgently review and increase the budget allocations for national security, warning that continued underfunding could severely compromise the country’s ability to respond to regional and international threats.
