By Lauryne Akoth
Cabinet Secretary for Interior and National Administration Kithure Kindiki has unveiled the government’s plan to spend Kshs 29.4 Billion to combat terrorism.
In a statement issued on 20th March 2024, Kindiki stated, “The Government remains focused on complete suppression and neutralization of terrorism, banditry, livestock rustling and other organized criminal activities as the sure way of turning around our National Security and putting Kenya on a firm path to equitable development and shared prosperity.”
He affirmed that ensuring the proper equipment and kitting of frontline officers deployed in Forward Operating Bases (FOBs) across the North Eastern Region, the Boni Enclave, the Upper Eastern Region, and North Rift Valley is a crucial priority for the Kenya Kwanza Administration.
The government intends to spend Kshs 29.4 Billion over the next three years on the purchase of sophisticated protected and mobility equipment, under the Police Equipment Modernisation (PEM) programme.
This comes after the government spent 7.6 Billion in the last six months, under the same programme for equipment.
Armoured Personnel Carriers (APCs) and Mine Resistant Ambush Protected Vehicles (MRAPs), Armored Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs), Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs), Attack Helicopters, Mine-Clearing vehicles, and Personal Protective Gear are among the equipment the government plans to procure to bolster the valiant efforts of frontline officers.
In a ceremony attended by high-ranking officials in the National Police Service including Principal Secretary Dr Raymond Omollo, Inspector General of the National Police Service Eng. Japhet Koome, Deputy Inspector-General Douglas Kanja, Deputy Inspector-General Noor Gabow, Director of Criminal Investigation, Mohamed Amin, and General Service Unit, Commandant Eliud Lagat, Kindiki dispatched the first batch of equipment to support Operation Maliza Uhalifu in North Rift Valley.
“Honoured this afternoon to commission and dispatch the first batch of equipment to support Operation Maliza Uhalifu in North Rift Valley which will be extended to cover The Northern Grazing Area of Meru County, Isiolo, and Marsabit Counties and counter-terrorism efforts in North Eastern Region and the Boni Enclave in Lamu County,” stated Kindiki.