By Phyllis Mwende
Defence Principal Secretary Dr. Patrick Mariru, alongside Vice Chief of Defence Forces Lt. Gen. John Omenda, appear before the Departmental Committee on Defence, Intelligence and Foreign Relations at Parliament Buildings.
Chaired by Belgut MP Nelson Koech, the session focuses on reviewing the Ministry of Defence’s Annual Estimates for the 2025/26 Financial Year.
Dr. Mariru urge MPs to prioritize the ministry’s funding request, stating that adequate resources are crucial for the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) to effectively safeguard the country’s borders and respond to emerging threats.
“The budget we’ve presented supports our operational needs, including critical recruitment plans, which are not just about adding numbers, but ensuring structured career progression within the ranks,” Mariru tells the committee.
Lt. Gen. Omenda echoes the need for timely recruitment and resource allocation, emphasizing that maintaining troop readiness is key to national defense and regional stability.
The Defence officials also highlight how the proposed budget would enhance logistical capacity training and welfare of service members.
In attendance is senior civilian and uniformed officials from the Ministry of Defence, reflecting the ministry’s unified approach in seeking parliamentary support.
The committee is expected to deliberate on the submissions in the coming weeks as part of the wider national budgeting process, with the final allocations set to impact how effectively the KDF can respond to the country’s evolving security demands.