Defence Principal Secretary Patrick Mariru has told Parliament that the military urgently requires the remaining Sh40.7 billion out of its Sh204.5 billion budget for the financial year 2024/25 to complete various projects before the end of the financial year on June 30.
Mariru, who appeared before the National Assembly Defence, Intelligence and Foreign Relations Committee chaired by Belgut MP Nelson Koech, said the military needs to complete ongoing projects.
The Defence PS said KDF closed the last financial year with Sh22.5 billion in bills, of which Sh18.8 billion has already been cleared, and they hope to settle the remaining amount if the exchequer allocates the outstanding Sh40.7 billion. "I would like to inform Parliament that the Kenya Defence Forces has already received Sh163.8 billion from the national exchequer for the financial year 2024/25, which has been utilised in several activities to ensure our military is in a state of preparedness to defend the country," said Mariru.
Mariru told the committee that the military requires Sh2 billion for the recruitment of soldiers, Sh1 billion for the maintenance of major assets and equipment, and Sh500 million for land required by the Kenya Shipyard Ltd, with the remaining amount being critical to achieving these goals.
