KDF receives 36 vehicles, assorted equipment from China

Defence CS Raychelle Omamo, Chinese Ambassador Liu Xianfa and Chief of Defence Forces General Samson Mwathe view some of the equipment the KDF received from China, November 30, 2016. /CONSOLATA MAKOKHA
Defence CS Raychelle Omamo, Chinese Ambassador Liu Xianfa and Chief of Defence Forces General Samson Mwathe view some of the equipment the KDF received from China, November 30, 2016. /CONSOLATA MAKOKHA

The Kenyan military received 36 vehicles, spare parts and assorted equipment from China on Wednesday.

Among the equipment the Chinese government handed over were water and fuel bowzers; fire-fighting units with engines and protective regalia; a refrigerated truck and excavators.

The Kenya Defence Forces also received recovery units and vehicles.

Defence CS Raychelle Omamo and Chinese ambassador Liu Xianfa said the handover marked the importance of the relationship between Kenya and China.

"This handover marked the continued cooperation between the governments of Kenya and China, and projecta future prospects in regard to security, stability and prosperity globally," said Omamo.

She noted that her ministry initiated the purchase of the equipment from China in 1995, beginning with a fleet of Y-12 aircrafts.

Xianfa said cooperation for the region's peace and security has become the Chinese government's focus.

"China and Kenya have maintained close communication and cooperation in the field of anti-terrorism, culture piracy and regional peace keeping missions, in the form of the youth security council and climate change," he noted.

The ambassador added that the two countries have worked together on matters such as fighting terrorism in Somalia.

"The Republic of China will continue supporting the people of Africa to independently resolve African issues in African ways, for the sake of maintaining peace in the continent," he said.

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More than 30 armored vehicles were offloaded at the GSU headquarters in Ruaraka, Nairobi, in January.

This came a week after President Uhuru Kenyatta assured county police chiefs that new modern vehicles will be purchased to help fight terror.

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