NIS Chief Raises Red Flag Over Kenya’s Weak Border Defences
Kenya’s national security is facing growing risks due to inadequate border protection, National Intelligence Service (NIS) Director General Noordin Haji has warned. Appearing before the Senate Committee on Defence, Intelligence and Foreign Relations on Monday, Haji revealed that the country’s security agencies are struggling to respond to emerging threats because they lack modern equipment and sufficient funding. His remarks highlighted mounting concerns about the safety of border communities and the readiness of national forces to counter increasingly sophisticated hostilities.
Haji informed senators that Kenya’s borders with Uganda, South Sudan and Ethiopia have become hotspots for armed incursions, cattle rustling networks and frequent territorial disputes. He noted that while threats in these regions continue to evolve, the country’s security forces are operating with outdated tools, making it difficult to match the firepower and mobility of hostile groups. The intelligence chief said the situation has been compounded by years of underinvestment, leaving Kenya vulnerable to external aggression and internal instability. He urged Parliament to give national security greater priority in the annual budget.
During the session, Haji revealed that although the NIS had requested Ksh.65 billion for critical upgrades, only Ksh.51 billion was allocated—an amount he said is far below what is needed to secure the country’s borders and invest in modern defence technology. He noted that without adequate funding, security agencies are unable to modernize surveillance systems, reinforce field operations or upgrade essential equipment for frontline personnel. The shortfall, he warned, risks allowing armed groups to take advantage of Kenya’s weakened operational capacity.
Defence Principal Secretary Patrick Mariru supported the NIS chief’s concerns, adding that the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) has not carried out new recruitment for the past two years due to financial constraints. The freeze, he explained, has hindered efforts to expand the army, train new officers and enhance readiness for emerging security challenges. Mariru appealed to Parliament to approve an additional Ksh.2 billion to resume recruitment and shore up the country’s defence capabilities. Lawmakers are now expected to review the funding requests as pressure mounts for the government to strengthen national security.