Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki has unveiled a fleet of advanced armoured vehicles which will be used for security operations in Meru and nine other counties.
In a statement dated Wednesday, March 20, the CS noted that the government had already spent Ksh7 billion in improving police equipment and noted that several pieces of machinery including Mine Resistant Ambush Protected Vehicles (MRAPs) had been acquired.
The MRAPS offer security personnel advanced protection during an ambush. They are also built to protect officers during firearm or Improvised Explosive Device (IED) attacks.
According to the CS, the newly acquired equipment will be assigned to officers operating in parts of Meru and Isiolo that have experienced conflict in the recent past.
Some of the new vehicles will also be deployed to the areas near Boni Forest where the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) are undertaking an operation to weed out terrorists.
"Equipment and kitting of frontline officers currently deployed in Forward Operating Bases (FOBs) in the North Eastern Region, the Boni Enclave, Upper Eastern Region, and North Rift Valley remains a key priority deliverable for the Kenya Kwanza Administration.
"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," read the statement in part.
On the other hand, the government will also be spending Ksh20 billion to acquire more sophisticated weapons to deal with criminals in the next three years.
The government is also looking to acquire Armoured Personnel Carriers (APCs), armoured drones, mine sweepers and gunship helicopters.
"The Government remains focused on complete suppression and neutralisation of terrorism, banditry, livestock rustling and other organised 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 stated.
