Kenya and Cambodia are among five new countries set to join Japan’s expanded military support program in fiscal 2026.
According to a report by The Japan News dated September 3, Japan plans to hold discussions with Kenya over the provision of patrol boats as Tokyo expands the OSA program to about 12 recipient countries in fiscal 2026.
The proposed assistance would give Kenya access to Japanese-supported maritime security equipment as Tokyo expands its security assistance beyond components and dual-use equipment to include fully assembled defense equipment.
Kenya Set for First OSA Project
Under the framework, the patrol-boat proposal will be Kenya’s first project under Japan’s OSA, launched in 2023
Japan’s Foreign Ministry confirmed earlier in 2026 that Tokyo was coordinating Kenya’s first OSA project.
During Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi’s visit to Kenya, the two countries agreed to work together to ensure the smooth implementation of the program.
“Japan wishes to strengthen security cooperation, including the first Official Security Assistance (OSA) program for Kenya, which is currently under coordination,” Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi noted.
According to the foreign minister, Kenya’s strategic position along the western Indian Ocean makes maritime security an essential area of cooperation with international partners.
The country’s coastline includes the Port of Mombasa, one of East Africa’s major maritime gateways, and Kenyan waters connect to important shipping routes linking Africa, Asia, and the Middle East.
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Japan Expands Security Assistance
The planned Kenya project comes as Japan expands the size and scope of its OSA program, with the initiative initially covering four countries in fiscal 2023 and another four in fiscal 2024.
In 2025, the number rose to eight recipients, and Tokyo is now preparing to select about 12 countries for fiscal 2026.
Japan has also significantly increased funding for the program, as its fiscal 2026 OSA allocation stands at about KSh15.7 billion, more than twice the KSh7.0 billion budget allocated in fiscal 2025.
Under its first-year projects, Japan supported patrol-boat programs in Bangladesh and Fiji.
The country also provided surveillance and monitoring equipment to countries including Malaysia and the Philippines.
In July 2026, Japan handed over five patrol boats to the Bangladesh Navy under a fiscal 2023 OSA project.
In addition, Japan has also approved high-speed patrol boats for Indonesia under its fiscal 2025 program, with a KSh1.54 billion grant.
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Kenya-Japan Defense Ties Deepen
The proposed assistance follows several years of growing defense cooperation between Kenya and Japan.
The two countries held their first Japan-Kenya Military-to-Military Dialogue in January 2024 and later signed a Statement of Intent on Defense Cooperation and Exchanges.
Japan identified Kenya as an important partner in advancing a Free and Open Indo-Pacific.
In addition, Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force vessels conducted a goodwill exercise around Mombasa with the Kenya Navy patrol vessel KNS Shujaa.
In February 2026, Kenya participated in India’s International Fleet Review, Exercise MILAN, and the Indian Ocean Naval Symposium’s Chiefs of Navy Conclave, and Kenya was elected to chair the Indian Ocean Naval Symposium for the 2030–2032 period.
Additionally, in April 2026, a senior Japanese delegation met Kenya’s Chief of Defense Forces, General Charles Kahariri, to discuss maritime security.
On August 11, 2026. Japan’s Defense Attaché to Kenya, Commander Nishioka Terumichi, held talks with Kenya Navy Commander Major General Paul Otieno on strengthening bilateral defense relations, developing Kenya’s maritime capabilities, and adopting appropriate technologies to improve maritime domain awareness.
Kenya and Japan also held a defense engagement on August 20, when Kenya Air Force Commander Major General Bernard Waliaula hosted Commander Nishioka Terumichi.
The meeting focused on capacity building, professional military education, training opportunities, and the exchange of expertise between the two countries’ defense establishments.
During the engagement, Major General Waliaula explained that international military partnerships with Japan are strengthening Kenya’s operational capabilities.
“We value our strong partnership with Japan. Such engagements are essential in strengthening professional ties, enhancing knowledge exchange, and building the capabilities required to address contemporary security challenges,” Major General Waliaula stated.
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