President Uhuru Kenyatta on Friday, May 21, launched high-tech military-grade vehicles to aid the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) in its missions.
Launching the equipment at the Thika Barracks, the Head of State noted that the operational vehicles and engineering equipment would support KDF troops to achieve results as well as towards improving operational capability.
The vehicles are set to guarantee Kenya's territorial integrity and sovereignty and protect the citizens of the Republic of Kenya.
A multi-agency team of security officers was deployed to pursue suspected Al-Shaabab terrorists who attacked the Kenyan police officers.
KDF noted that the contemporary operating environment was increasingly characterised by IEDs. Earlier on in an attack in Mandera, three police officers were killed after the roadside explosive hit their patrol car.
"This informs our quest to enhance force protection when troops are operating in areas prone to cross-border hybrid security threats," the forces stated in a statement.
KDF is continually aligning its posture and capability to meet current and emerging threats. This informs KDF’s enduring focus on Mission Readiness.
On her part, Defence CS Monica Juma observed that the morale of KDF troops and resources would play a key role in mission readiness and success.
"This project is aimed at enhancing the state of troop readiness and agility through the provision of mobility to our troops in and out of operational theatres," she stated.
The equipment was launched in partnership with local industries as the Ministry of Defence is keen on local value addition and supports the Buy Kenya Build Kenya initiative to spur industrialization for self-reliance.
"We are energetic, rethinking, modifying and modernising for the defense of our land, air and waters. We are professional, agile, capable and adaptable," Chief of Defence Forces CDF Gen Robert Kibochi.
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