As Kenya intensifies its fight against terrorism, the government has high hopes that US will approve the procurement of assorted military aircraft that was requested four months ago.
Following up with the order, Foreign Affairs Cabinet Secretary Amina Mohamed is in the US, taking part in “contextualization of America First policy”. Kenya argues that the US should boost Kenya’s military techniques in fighting terror in the Horn of Africa.
While in the US, Amina has met with Senator Bob Corker, the Chairman of the US Senate Committee on Foreign Relations, Mr Tom Shannon, the acting Deputy Secretary of State, and Under Secretary for Political Affairs and other US officials; engaging them in pushing for the completion of the deal.
“Kenya shares the United States security concerns in the Horn of Africa including fighting violent extremism, stabilising Somalia and concluding the South Sudan peace process.” Said a dispatch from her ministry
The US recently marked some parts of Somalia as war zones, designating US troops to attack the violent extremist group Al-Shabaab.
The government has requested to buy 12 Air Tractor AT-802L and two AT-504 trainer aircraft, weapons, technical support and programme management for these equipment, all worth $418 million (about Sh43 billion).
According to State Department, the purchase is in line with US Foreign policy.
“This proposed sale contributes to the foreign policy and national security of the United States by improving the security of a strong regional partner who is a regional security leader undertaking critical operations against Al-Shabaab and troop contributor to the African Union Mission in Somalia,” said a statement from the State Department in January.
The aircraft were not originally made for war zone but for agricultural purposes and forest fire fighting missions before they were remodeled for military use.
Kenya intends to supplement the F-5 aircraft used by KDF, using “precision munitions and cost effective logistics and maintenance”
The procurement hit a snag after a US Congressman Ted Rudd alleged that the aircraft price have been inflated, stating that a different company in NC would sell same aircraft at half the quoted price by L-3.