The fight against banditry and terrorism has received a major boost as Cabinet Secretary for Interior Kithure Kindiki on Wednesday commissioned the first batch of security equipment.
As a result, the CS ordered security officers to use the equipment to deal with criminals terrorizing the country.
"Security officers are now directed to use this equipment to deal with criminals mercilessly and thwart the work of bandits and terrorists. Take down those armed criminals before they take you down or any of our citizens," Kindiki said.
The CS was speaking at the GSU Headquarters, Ruaraka as he commissioned the Sh7.6 billion first batch of modern security equipment.
The first batch of equipment to support Operation Maliza Uhalifu in North Rift Valley 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.
Some of 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.
As he commissioned the equipment, the Interior boss stated that the long-awaited moment of liberating Kenya from the jaws of bandits, terrorists, and other organised criminals had arrived.
"Days of bandits and terrorists brutalising our people are over. Time for liberating our people is here and that time is now," Kindiki added.
The CS emphasized that the government will stand behind and defend any officer who lawfully uses the weapons and equipment assigned to them to take down criminals before they harm them or any citizen.
He also announced that the second batch of the equipment will be commissioned mid-next month and others in mid-May.
Last month, the government unveiled a robust 5-year security equipment modernization plan, estimated at Sh37 billion.
The modernization plan is part of efforts by the government to sustain the war on terror and other threats to national security by continuously reviewing its covert and overt interventions.
This also includes the establishment of additional security facilities, constant review of existing operational capabilities and generation of durable solutions to complex security threats that require regular reviews and locally processed measures.
The equipment will be used by both the National Police Service and the Kenya Defence Forces who are in dire need of more equipment and upgrade.
Detailing the acquisition process, CS Kindiki disclosed an expenditure of approximately Sh7 billion over the past year for the procurement of security equipment to empower personnel in handling emerging threats effectively.
The second consignment will feature drones and other modern surveillance equipment and is scheduled to arrive in the country within the next two months, while the third consignment, includes gunship helicopters and other aerial mobility equipment.
"We must neutralize and dominate the enemy from all angles and ensure that our country is safe and our people can work, live, and invest in peace and without any fear," said the CS.
