Defence CS Aden Duale on Friday embarked on a tour to visit terror hotspots along the Kenya-Somalia border.
This comes as terror attacks have surged along the border.
Duale was received by Wajir Governor Ahmed Abdullahi at the Wajir International Airport ahead of his visit.
The Northeastern region and parts of the Coast have been experiencing increased terror attacks by al Shabaab, which has launched deadly raids, torching property, and even beheading people.
Shabaab had planted IEDs on the roads and raided villages.
Last week, the government announced the suspension of reopening the Kenya- Somalia border as terrorism surged.
Interior CS Kithure Kindiki said the state was prioritising national security above any other consideration and it was necessary to arrest rising cross-border crimes.
"The government will delay the planned reopening of Kenya-Somalia border points until we conclusively deal with the recent spate of terror attacks and cross-border crime," he said.
Defence CS Duale added that the government was modernising the KDF and police artillery in a renewed effort to end Al Shabaab attacks both in the country and in Somalia.
He said the equipment will include sophisticated armored personnel carriers with the ability to detect improvised explosive devices along the areas under their command.
In addition, the government will purchase sophisticated equipment over the next three months to help police and KDF forces fight the militia.
Duale also said that the government would not be intimidated by terrorists.
Plans were underway to reopen three border points between Kenya and Somalia, after 12 years of closure due to the threat of terrorism.
Mandera/Belet Hawo (Belethawa), Liboi-Harhar/Dhobley and Kiunga/Ras Kamboni were closed by President Uhuru Kenyatta’s administration.
The previous administration’s term ended before talks on the reopening were concluded.
They were closed in 2011 at the height of al Shabaab attacks.
