Kenya's first interceptor
Worried by the Ogaden war between Ethiopia and Somalia and by tension with Uganda, Kenya ordered ten F-5Es and two F-5Fs in 1976.[1] Deliveries began in 1978 and gave the Kenya Air Force its first real interceptor, and the F-5 has been its main air defence fighter ever since.[1]
The war next door
The fighting that pushed Kenya toward the F-5 was itself an F-5 war. In 1977 Ethiopia, with a handful of new F-5E Tigers armed with Sidewinder missiles, took on Somalia's MiG-21s over the Ogaden.[6] The Ethiopian pilots won control of the air and then went after Somali supply lines, a result that showed small air forces what a well-flown Tiger II could do.[6] Kenya, which shares a long border with Somalia, had ordered its own Tigers in 1976 as the tension built.[1]
A second batch from Jordan
In 2008 Kenya agreed to buy 15 used F-5s from Jordan rather than a new type.[4] They were ten F-5Es, three upgraded F-5EMs and two F-5Fs, shipped to Kenya and assembled there, and the deal drew criticism at home.[1] Counting both batches, 29 F-5s have flown in Kenyan colours: 12 F-5Es and 2 F-5Fs from the United States, and 15 from Jordan.[1][2]
Still the only combat jet
Number 2 Squadron flies the Tigers from Laikipia Air Base at Nanyuki.[2] FlightGlobal counted 17 F-5Es and six F-5Fs in 2025, and no replacement had been announced.[3] Kenyan F-5s flew over Somalia after Kenyan troops crossed the border in 2011.[3]
Replacements keep being discussed. In 2026 India was pitching its Tejas fighter, with the F-5 described as close to the end of its working life.[5] Kenya is marked as still flying on the operators map.
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