NIS Sounds Alarm: National Security at Risk After Budget Slash

NIS Sounds Alarm: National Security at Risk After Budget Slash

Kenya’s national security now hangs in the balance after a massive budget cut, the National Intelligence Service (NIS) has warned.

On Monday, May 12,are suffering due to chronic underfunding and outdated equipment. issued a chilling alert to Parliament.

“Our national security is in jeopardy,” he declared while addressing the National Assembly’s Committee on Defence, Intelligence and Foreign Relations.

Haji revealed that security operations—especially along Kenya’s borders—are suffering due to chronic underfunding and outdated equipment.

Invasion Risks from Neighbours

He painted a grim picture of the country’s borders.

“If you look at Uganda, you have the Karamojong and other communities crossing into Kenya for cattle rustling,” he warned.
“They’ve even encroached on some of our land.”

Worse still, he cited ongoing incursions from Ethiopia and South Sudan.

“In Ethiopia, the Oromo Liberation Army is occupying some of our territory,” Haji said.
“In South Sudan, there’s the unchecked flow of small arms.”

Equipment ‘Really Wanting’

Kenya’s forces, he said, are unable to respond effectively.

“When you consider the kind of equipment we have, it’s really wanting,” Haji admitted.
“Some military units haven’t received upgrades in over 10 years.”

The revelation shocked many MPs, including Belgut MP Nelson Koech, who chaired the session. The committee listened as Haji expressed frustration with Treasury for ignoring critical funding needs.

KSh14 Billion Gap

Haji said the NIS had requested more funds to fulfill its mandate, but the Treasury only allocated KSh51 billion for the 2024/2025 fiscal year.

“That’s KSh14 billion less than what we asked for,” he noted.

The gap has left security agencies scrambling to maintain minimal operations. For instance, the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) now struggles to conduct basic training and recruitment.

“We need KSh2 billion for recruitment and KSh2 million to train each recruit for nine months,” Haji stated.

Urgent Call to Action

In a rare, vulnerable moment, Haji even offered to share NIS’s financial documents—usually kept classified.

“We must ask ourselves whether we are genuinely committed to giving Kenyans the security they deserve,” he said.

As debate continues, the committee will review the figures before sending recommendations to Treasury. However, Kenyans are left wondering: How safe are we, really, if our national shield is this fragile?

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NIS Sounds Alarm: National Security at Risk After Budget Slash