During an oversight visit to the Kenya Ordnance Factories Corporation (KOFC) in Uasin Gishu County, the National Assembly's Defence, Intelligence and Foreign Relations Committee urged immediate modernisation to sustain local ammunition production.

The committee, chaired by Gilgil MP Martha Wangari, examined the corporation’s operational capacity, production challenges and progress on modernisation programmes slated for the 2026/2027 financial year.

KOFC officials reported an annual capacity of 11 million assorted ammunition rounds supplied to authorised government agencies, but noted that ageing machinery and frequent breakdowns are curbing output.

The corporation also faces shortages and rising costs of raw materials, a situation the management linked to volatile international markets and recent supply‑chain disruptions.

A fire incident at the facility last year further strained raw‑material availability and disrupted production schedules, according to the briefing.

Two major modernisation projects, financed by the National Treasury, were presented to the committee as part of a plan to expand capacity and improve long‑term sustainability.

Committee members stressed the need for sustained investment in machinery maintenance, upgrades and replacement to boost efficiency and value for public money.

They also called for stronger operational and safety protocols, including better incident investigation and prevention measures to protect personnel and critical infrastructure.

The committee highlighted the importance of strict adherence to quality standards across all production processes, reinforcing accountability for publicly funded equipment.

KOFC operates under the State Corporations Act and the Ministry of Defence, with a mandate that now includes defence equipment, food production, smart farming and other board‑approved activities.

The oversight visit was attended by MPs from Kamukunji, Kajiado Central, Central Imenti, Baringo Central and Lagdera, underscoring broad parliamentary interest in the factory’s performance.