Kenya has received its first military equipment delivery under a Sh3 billion European Union defence support programme, with the Kenya Navy among the principal beneficiaries.
The equipment handover on Wednesday marks the first delivery under the European Peace Facility assistance package, as Nairobi and Brussels deepen cooperation on maritime security.
The facility is financed by EU member states to strengthen the operational capabilities of the Kenya Defence Forces.
EU Ambassador to Kenya Andreas Peschke and Commander of the Kenya Navy Maj Gen Paul Otieno witnessed the handover of the equipment, which includes non-lethal capabilities intended to support maritime operations.
“Today, Europe and Kenya take our partnership to the sea. For the first time, Kenya receives EPF support worth Ksh3 billion for the Kenyan Defence Forces financed by EU Member States,” the EU said.
Amb Peschke said the delivery was part of efforts to strengthen Kenya’s maritime security capabilities, adding that cooperation between the two sides was essential in addressing shared security challenges.
“Handing over first delivery of equipment of Sh3bn to KDF and Kenya Navy to strengthen maritime security. When we cooperate, we can enhance security together,” he said.
The EU also showcased Kenya Navy divers demonstrating the capabilities of the new equipment in search and rescue missions and underwater operations.
The equipment is expected to support operations that protect fishermen, ports and coastal communities, while improving the Navy’s ability to respond to incidents at sea.
The package, worth €20 million (approximately Sh3 billion), was approved by the Council of the European Union in June 2024 to enhance the operational capabilities of the KDF in protecting Kenya’s territorial integrity and sovereignty.
It covers equipment, related supplies, services and technical training.
The programme also targets threats along Kenya’s border with Somalia, particularly the activities of al-Shabaab.
The Kenya Army is further expected to benefit from tactical unmanned aerial vehicles, systems to counter hostile drones, electronic warfare equipment, improvised explosive device detection capabilities, military vehicles and a mobile medical facility.
The EU support comes as Kenya seeks to strengthen its position in the Western Indian Ocean, where maritime security threats include piracy, trafficking, illegal fishing and maritime terrorism.
The Indian Ocean is strategically important to Kenya’s economy, with the Port of Mombasa serving as a major gateway for international trade and cargo destined for neighbouring landlocked countries.
The equipment handover also comes a day after the fifth EU-Kenya Security and Defence Dialogue in Nairobi, where the two partners reviewed cooperation on terrorism, border management, maritime security, cybercrime and intelligence sharing.
The discussions further demonstrated the growing importance of security cooperation in the EU-Kenya relationship, which has traditionally been anchored in trade, development and political engagement.
The European Peace Facility, established in 2021, enables the EU to finance military and defence assistance to partner countries and regional organisations as part of its wider foreign and security policy.
