New data from the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute shows that Kenya became Africa’s second-largest importer of major conventional arms in 2025. Kenya now overtakes long-established military spenders such as Algeria, Angola and Ethiopia. According to the institute, Kenya imported major arms worth KSh117 million in Trend-Indicator Value (TIV) last year, more than six times the KSh19 million TIV recorded in 2024.  

The figures coincide with a record defence allocation of approximately KSh190 billion and reflect a government increasingly prioritising military modernisation amid rising regional insecurity, terrorism threats and expanding peacekeeping responsibilities.  

However, this achievement raises an important question: as Kenya spends more on security, how should it balance military needs with the rising demands for healthcare, education, and economic growth?  

A Surge in Military Capability  

The dramatic rise does not necessarily mean Kenya spent six times more on weapons. SIPRI measures arms transfers using the Trend-Indicator Value (TIV), a methodology designed to compare the volume and capability of major conventional weapons transferred between countries rather than their commercial value. Instead of assigning a dollar price, the system estimates the military significance of equipment based on its size, sophistication and operational capability.  

Kenya significantly increased both the quality and quantity of its military purchases in 2025. 

Worldwide, Kenya now accounts for about 0.3 per cent of all major arms imports, placing it among the top 50 arms importers. In Africa, only Morocco bought more major weapons last year.  

Kenya’s rise reflects broader trends across Africa. Governments across the continent are increasing military acquisitions in response to terrorism, cross-border insecurity, organised crime and geopolitical competition.  

This trend shows that defence is becoming a bigger part of national planning as countries try to protect themselves from both old and new security threats. For Kenya, this increased spending aligns with its goal of being a leading security force in East Africa.  

Why Now?  

Kenya’s evolving security environment provides much of the explanation. The country continues to confront the threat posed by Al-Shabaab along its north-eastern border while safeguarding critical infrastructure, maritime trade routes in the Indian Ocean, and strategic national assets. Beyond its borders, Kenya has assumed an increasingly prominent role in regional peace-support operations, including the Multinational Security Support Mission in Haiti and wider regional security initiatives.  

Modern defence capabilities are no longer defined solely by troop numbers or conventional weaponry. They increasingly depend on surveillance systems, air defence, intelligence assets and precision equipment that enable countries to respond to evolving security threats. The latest SIPRI data suggests that Kenya is investing in exactly that transition.  

Between 2020 and 2025, about 90 per cent of Kenya’s major arms imports came from Israel, Italy, and the United States. In 2025, Israel reportedly supplied air-defence systems and missile technology, reflecting Kenya’s growing focus on modernising its forces and strengthening its defences.  

Security Versus Fiscal Priorities  

Defence spending rarely exists in isolation. Every additional shilling allocated to national security competes with other public priorities. The same national budget that funds military equipment also funds hospitals, schools, roads, social protection programmes and county transfers.  

That tension has intensified as Kenya pursues fiscal consolidation while responding to persistent public calls for greater investment in essential services. The government argues that security is itself an economic investment. Safe borders facilitate trade, stable transport corridors support commerce, and secure infrastructure encourages both domestic and foreign investment. Tourism, one of Kenya’s key economic sectors, also depends heavily on perceptions of stability. Viewed through that lens, defence expenditure is an enabler of economic activity.  

However, critics argue that the trade-offs cannot be ignored. With families struggling with high living costs and businesses facing tough times, ongoing increases in military spending raise questions about the government’s overall budgetary choices.  

Security Spending on the Rise  

The rise in arms imports reflects a broader shift in Kenya’s budget priorities. In the 2026/27 Budget Statement, security once again emerged as one of the government’s largest expenditure areas. The National Treasury proposed KSh252.1 billion for the Ministry of Defence, alongside KSh144.7 billion for the National Police Service, KSh64.1 billion for the National Intelligence Service, KSh63.9 billion for Internal Security and National Administration, and KSh42.6 billion for the Kenya Prisons Service. Together, these allocations underscore the government’s view that national security is central to economic stability, investor confidence and the protection of critical infrastructure. At the same time, the scale of these allocations has reignited debate over how Kenya balances growing security needs with competing demands for healthcare, education, agriculture and other social programmes.  

What It Means for Business  

We often view military spending primarily as a security issue, but it also has significant economic effects. A stronger defence force can boost investor confidence by protecting key infrastructure, securing trade routes, and supporting regional stability. For industries such as logistics, tourism, energy, and manufacturing, a secure environment reduces risk and encourages long-term investment.  

At the same time, increased defence expenditure places further pressure on public finances. Businesses are closely watching how the government balances security needs with infrastructure development, healthcare, education and other growth-enabling investments.  

In the end, whether higher defence spending is sustainable will depend on both the benefits it delivers and its alignment with Kenya’s overall financial and economic goals.  

Beyond the Numbers  

Rankings can make headlines; however, becoming Africa’s second-largest importer of major arms is not, in itself, a measure of success. It reflects the choices governments make in response to changing security realities.  

The real test will come in the years ahead. If stronger defence capabilities help secure Kenya’s borders, protect trade corridors, support regional peace operations, and create a stable environment for investment, the spending will be seen as a strategic investment rather than simply another budget line.