The government will prioritize the completion of the Kanyonyoo Border Police Training College airstrip to enhance security agents' capacity to combat cattle rustling, terrorism and organized crime.
Interior Cabinet Secretary Prof. Kithure Kindiki said the Ministry will immediately release Sh200 million to expedite the construction of the runway to enhance the delivery of essential supplies as well as transportation of security personnel.
Speaking after inspecting security projects at the college, the CS said the airstrip will facilitate the evacuation of injured officers who require specialized medical attention and help in the movement of necessary equipment.
“This facility is being used to train our officers deployed to areas where the threats of terrorism exist and those involved in the fight against livestock rustling in our country. This airstrip will help us enhance our logistical capacity in evacuating and transporting our officers,” he said.
The CS also acknowledged the support from the US government in the establishment of a regional counter-terrorism centre.
He said the facility billed as a trailblazer in the region will boost the country's role in countering local and cross-border terrorism.
The centre will equip Kenyan and regional police with new skills in combating emerging crimes and raise the country’s security profile. The facility is expected to be operational in about nine or 10 months.
The CS lauded the use of in-house skills and locally-sourced resources at BPU with a great percentage of the labour and equipment supplied by police officers and personnel from the National Youth Service (NYS).
“Much of the work here is being done by officers. In fact, this is the best description of value for money, and I think our agencies should learn how this institution has managed to achieve quite a bit of facility with very few resources.”
Key among the projects is the ultra-modern hospital set for official launch soon.
“This institution has put in place a state-of-the-art border police hospital. I have seen it, and I can say the facilities are great by every word of it and very soon we are looking for a day the President can come and open it.”
An international-standard stadium is also upcoming to improve sporting and recreational activities for the officers.
Prof. Kindiki said roadblocks mounted by border patrol units will be enhanced to ensure maximum surveillance and detection of cross-border crimes even as police reduce the number of normal roadblocks on major highways.
