The US State Department has approved the sale of military aircraft and other high-tech equipment worth Sh43.4 Billion to Kenya, days after the inauguration of US President Donald Trump.
In a press statement, the Defense Security Cooperation Agency highlighted that the approval was for the possible sale of up to 12 Air Tractor AT-802L planes and two AT-504 trainer aircraft, a weapons package, technical support and program management.
The equipment is set to help the military in the fight against militia group Al Shabaab.
“The proposed sale provides a needed capability in the ongoing efforts to counter al-Shabaab. The platform maximizes the Kenyan Defense Force's Close Air Support (CAS) ability because it is a short-field aircraft capable of using precision munitions and cost effective logistics and maintenance,” the US said.
The US government nodded to the deal signed during President Barack Obama administration, a few days after Trump was sworn in. It is part of the US State Department’s more than Sh180 Billion deals with UK, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and Kenya, which will include air-to-air missiles and threat detection systems.
Though the sale has been approved, it is not yet complete.
In December 2016, KDF received six helicopters from the US government worth Sh11 Billion to help in the fight against terrorism.
US ambassador to Kenya Robert Godec handed the equipment to Defence Cabinet Secretary Raychelle Omamo at the Laikipia Air Base, Nanyuki.
