Kithure Kindiki Receives Multi-Billion, Modern Security Equipment To Combat Terrorism, Banditry

• In keeping up with its commitment to combating crime, the Kenya Kwanza administration has splurged KSh 37 billion for the acquisition and modernisation of security equipment
• On Tuesday, May 14, Interior CS Kithure Kindiki commissioned and flagged off a part of the consignment comprising armoured cars
• He said the equipment would be instrumental in quelling attacks by the al-Shabaab militants and the bandits in the North Rift

Kai Eli, a journalist at TUKO.co.ke, brings more than three years of experience covering politics and current affairs in Kenya.

Mombasa: Kenya is constantly stepping up its capacity to tackle insecurity in the Boni enclave and the bandit-stricken North Rift region.

How much is Ruto's government splurging on security equipment?

Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki assured while flagging off ten ultra-modern Armoured Personnel Carriers (APCs) at the Port of Mombasa.

Kindiki put the al Shabaab militants and bandits on notice, banking on the vehicles to bolster the fight against crime in the country.

He revealed the consignment was part of the government's KSh 37 billion plan to modernise and properly equip the state security agents to fight terrorism and other high-level crimes.

"To defeat terror, banditry and other organised violent criminal enterprises that gravely constrain our homeland security ideals, the government is on a KSh 37 Billion five-year Police Equipment Modernisation (PEM) programme to equip, protect and minimise the exposure our frontline security personnel in the frontlines of our country's security operations, and to inflict maximum pain on dangerous criminals threatening public safety," said Kindiki.

In March this year, Kindiki flagged off another fleet of armoured vehicles to be used in security operations in ten counties.

How much was used to buy modern equipment?

Kindiki said the government was determined to neutralise organised criminal activities in the country.

He disclosed that the government spent KSh 7.6 billion to acquire the new equipment under the Police Equipment Modernisation (PEM) programme.

Among the equipment unveiled include armoured personnel carriers, drones, gunship helicopters, and mine sweepers, among others.

The equipment was deployed to support Operation Maliza Uhalifu in North Rift Valley and extended to the Northern Grazing Area of Meru county, Isiolo and Marsabit counties and counter-terrorism efforts in the North Eastern Region.

Proofreading by Asher Omondi, current affairs journalist and copy editor at TUKO.co.ke.