Kenya spent approximately Ksh3.2 billion ($32 million) on arms in the year 2019 as indicated by the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (Sipri) 2019 Arms and Military expenditure database released in March 2020.
A huge sum of the funds, however, was directed towards upgrading the country's air power.
According to the report, Kenya received the final lot of three C-27J Spartan Transport aircraft which were acquired from Italy, whose order was posted in 2017. The country also received two AW139 Helicopters ordered in 2018, one a "VIP transport" helicopter from Poland.
The military was the recipient of one of two M28 Skytruck planes as part of a military aid deal with the United States, with the other being delivered towards the end of the year 2020.
Kenya received six of the Rolls-Royce AE-2100 engines for the C-27J Spartan Transport aircraft which had been ordered from Leonardo, an Italian manufacturer. The country is expected to substitute old De Havilland Canada DHC-5 Buffalo aircraft.
A further six armed MD 530F Cayuse Warrior helicopters were delivered to Kenya by the US. The aircraft were ordered in 2018. The agreement between the two nations was inclusive of initial logistics support (ILS) for the aircraft, aircraft systems and ground support equipment.
The report showed that Kenya had risen 33 positions to 62 in 2019 from 95 in 2018 in terms of money spent on military reinforcements, indicating an increase in thirst for weapons.
Kenya has in the past had a preference for Russia, Serbia, China and Israel for primary military weapon purchases.
According to the report, only Ethiopia surpassed Kenya's spending on weapons in East Africa with Ksh7.1 billion spent. A majority of the funds set aside for upgrading its air defence systems.
