The United States government has cleared the sale of 12 new American-made light attack helicopter gunships to Kenya as the East African nation continues to build up its military arsenal in the face of mounting security challenges.

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The deal has been approved despite opposition to an earlier weapons purchase deal Kenya had sought from Washington.

The US State Department said it is estimated to be worth $253 million (Sh25 billion) and includes MD530F Cayuse Warrior light attack helicopters, machine gun pod systems, rocket launcher systems and assorted ammunition.

Sources said the US Army Security Assistance Command was expected to send Kenya a formal letter of offer and acceptance (LOA).

Kenya must then decide to accept the terms or not.

The US Defence Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) said in a May 2 statement that the latest sale will go towards helping Kenya “modernise its rotorcraft fleet in order to improve border security, undertake operations against Somalia-based jihadist group Al-Shabaab and as a troop contributor to the African Union Mission in Somalia (Amisom).”