Kenijske oružane snage su profesionalna sila koja podupire civilne vlasti. Glavna im je zadaća odbrana granica zemlje, smještene u vrlo nestabilnoj regiji. Vojni komandanti se odupiru pritiscima od strane političara i ne bave se politikom, čak izbjegavaju i intervencije u plemenskim sukobima. Za politički osjetljive misije angažira se policija. Predsjednik Kenije drži i resor odbrane te je ujedno i vrhovni zapovjednik svih oružanih snaga.

      The Kenyan military is a professional force that supports existing civil authorities. Its main mission is defence of the country's borders in a notoriously unstable region. Military commanders resist pressure to become involved in politics, including intervention in tribal clashes. The Police or General Service Unit (GSU) are generally used for politically sensitive missions. The President also holds the Government of Kenya (GOK) defence portfolio as the Commander in Chief of all the Armed Forces.