Kenya had 29.1 thousand people working in the armed forces as of 2018. After increasing from 27.2 thousand in 2000, the number of military personnel had slight variations in the subsequent years. Furthermore, Kenya ranked among the leading African countries in defense spending budget as of 2021.
Number of armed forces personnel in Kenya from 2000 to 2018
(in 1,000s)
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Number of armed forces personnel in Kenya from 2000 to 2018
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The source defines armed forces personnel as: "Active duty military personnel, including paramilitary forces if the training, organization, equipment, and control suggest they may be used to support or replace regular military forces."
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World Bank. (February 17, 2021). Number of armed forces personnel in Kenya from 2000 to 2018 (in 1,000s) [Graph]. In Statista. Retrieved May 10, 2025, from https://www.statista.com/statistics/1220917/number-of-armed-forces-personnel-in-kenya/
World Bank. "Number of armed forces personnel in Kenya from 2000 to 2018 (in 1,000s)." Chart. February 17, 2021. Statista. Accessed May 10, 2025. https://www.statista.com/statistics/1220917/number-of-armed-forces-personnel-in-kenya/
World Bank. (2021). Number of armed forces personnel in Kenya from 2000 to 2018 (in 1,000s). Statista. Statista Inc.. Accessed: May 10, 2025. https://www.statista.com/statistics/1220917/number-of-armed-forces-personnel-in-kenya/
World Bank. "Number of Armed Forces Personnel in Kenya from 2000 to 2018 (in 1,000s)." Statista, Statista Inc., 17 Feb 2021, https://www.statista.com/statistics/1220917/number-of-armed-forces-personnel-in-kenya/
World Bank, Number of armed forces personnel in Kenya from 2000 to 2018 (in 1,000s) Statista, https://www.statista.com/statistics/1220917/number-of-armed-forces-personnel-in-kenya/ (last visited May 10, 2025)
Number of armed forces personnel in Kenya from 2000 to 2018 (in 1,000s) [Graph], World Bank, February 17, 2021. [Online]. Available: https://www.statista.com/statistics/1220917/number-of-armed-forces-personnel-in-kenya/
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