President Uhuru Kenyatta is set to receive six high-end military helicopters after his deal with the United States suffered a glitch earlier this year.
The equipment is part of the deal that President Uhuru Kenyatta signed with the US in 2017 worth Ksh25 Billion.
The six Helicopters of MD Helicopters Inc (MDHI) MD530F Cayuse Warrior Scout make were scheduled to arrive in Kenya between April and August but a delay arose.
The company that was tasked with making the delivery, however, never provided reasons for the delay in delivery.
“Kenya will receive all six of the MD Helicopters Inc MD 530F Cayuse Warrior Scout and light-attack platforms it ordered in 2018 by the end of this year, the manufacturer confirmed on September 13,” Business Daily quoted a defence niche magazine from the UK.
The upgrade is part of Uhuru's continued stoking of military equipment that critics claim are likely to arouse fears of an arms race in the region.
Kenya's spending on military rose to Ksh114.2 billion in 2018, a figure that towers that of Ethiopia and Uganda combined.
“Not only does this bring peace, security and stability to a neighbouring state with which we share deep historic bonds; it also provides our nation with safety and security from terror groups and other asymmetrical threats,” Uhuru told the Recruits Training School in Eldoret last week.
In September 2018, Kenya Defence Forces received nine Fennec helicopters from the United Arab Emirates in its quest to fight Al Shabaab insurgents in Somalia.
According to Defence CS Raychelle Omamo at the time, the helicopters were to be used “to support combat operations, search-and-rescue and medical evacuations, and escort heavy-lift helicopters.”
