• Kindiki said the government is constantly reviewing covert and overt interventions to support the war on terror and other threats to national security
• Lack of equipment has been a major hindrance in the war against bandits who have killed and maimed many in the north rift
Image: HANDOUT
Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki on Wednesday unveiled new equipment to be used in the fight against organised crime, particularly terrorism and banditry.
It is part of the government's ambitious plan to modernise security equipment over the next five years at a cost of Sh37 billion.
Kindiki said the government remains focused on complete suppression and neutralisation of terrorism, banditry, livestock rustling and other organised criminal activities to put Kenya on a firm path to equitable development and shared prosperity.
The equipment and kitting of frontline officers deployed in Forward Operating Bases in Northeastern region, the Boni enclave, Upper Eastern region and North Rift remains a key priority for the Kenya Kwanza administration.
Kindiki said 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 protective and mobility equipment.
They include Armoured Personnel Carriers and Mine Resistant Ambush Protected Vehicles, Armoured Unmanned Aerial Vehicles, drones, gunship helicopters, mine sweepers and Personal Protection Equipment.
“We must neutralise and dominate the enemy from all angles and ensure that our country is safe and our people are able to work, live and invest in peace and without any fear," Kindiki said.
The CS commissioned and dispatched the first batch of equipment to support Operation Maliza Uhalifu in North Rift, which will be extended to cover the northern grazing area of Meru county, Isiolo and Marsabit counties and counter-terrorism efforts in Northeastern region and the Boni enclave in Lamu.
The event took place at the General Service Unit headquarters in Nairobi and was attended by top security officials.
Kindiki said the government is constantly reviewing covert and overt interventions to support the war on terror and other threats to national security.
Lack of equipment has been a major hindrance in the war against bandits, who have killed and maimed many people in the north rift.
Bandits have been attacking and stealing animals in the region with impunity.
On terrorism, officials said the trend is now slowing down, save for some areas.
The Global Terrorism Index 2024 shows Kenya's impact of terrorism decreased from high in 2022 to medium in 2023.
This is attributed to ongoing multi-agency security operations against al Shabaab in Lamu and Northeastern region, which resulted to killing of terrorists, destruction of al Shabaab makeshift camps and successful arrest and prosecution of terrorists.
The report by the Institute for Economics and Peace appreciates Kenya's efforts in fighting al Shabaab in the country as well as offering a helping hand to Somalia, where the terrorist group is domiciled.
Terrorism deaths attributed to the Somalia-based group fell from 800 in 2022 to 499 in 2023, a decline of almost 38 per cent.
Of these deaths, 86 per cent occurred inside Somalia and the remaining 14 per cent in Kenya.
Al Shabaab was responsible for 70 deaths in Kenya in 2023, the most since 2019.
The report authored by the Sidney-based Institute for Economics and Peace says Kenya scored 5.616 in the index.
The report says terrorism deaths attributed to al Shabaab increased from 58 to 70 in 2023. Most of the deaths occurred in Lamu close to the Somali border, which recorded 26 deaths in 2023, ten more than the year prior.
"This was followed by Garissa and Mandera counties, which collectively recorded 37 deaths," the index report says.