The Government remains focused on the fight against terrorism, banditry, livestock rustling and other organised criminal activities, Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki has said.
To boost this operation, Kindiki on Wednesday commissioned the first batch of modern security equipment.
The Government has in the last six months invested Sh7.6 billion and will spend another Sh29.4 billion in the next three years under the Police Equipment Modernisation (PEM) programme to acquire sophisticated protected and mobility equipment.
The equipment includes Armoured Personnel Carriers (APCs) and Mine Resistant Ambush Protected Vehicles (MRAPs), Armoured Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs), Drones, Gunship Helicopters, Mine Sweepers and Personal Protection Equipment to support the sacrificial and patriotic work of our frontline officers.
Kindiki stated that equipment and kitting of frontline officers currently deployed in Forward Operating Bases (FOBs) in the North Eastern Region, the Boni Enclave, the Upper Eastern Region, and North Rift Valley remains a key deliverable priority for the Kenya Kwanza Administration.
The equipment will go towards the support of Operation Maliza Uhalifu in North Rift Valley.
The operation will also be extended to cover The Northern Grazing Area of Meru County, Isiolo and Marsabit Counties and counter-terrorism efforts in the North Eastern Region and the Boni Enclave in Lamu County.
Those present at the event included Principal Secretary Raymond Omollo (Internal Security and National Administration), Inspector General of the National Police Service (NPS), Japhet Koome and Deputy Inspector-General Douglas Kanja (Kenya Police Service).
Deputy Inspector-General Noor Gabow (Administration Police Service), Director of Criminal Investigations(DCI) Mohamed Amin, General Service Unit (GSU) Commandant Eliud Lagat and other top ranks within the National Police Service were present.