The government will spend Ksh 29.4 billion in the next three years under the Police Equipment Modernisation (PEM) program to acquire sophisticated protection and mobility equipment.
According to Interior Cabinet Secretary (CS) Kithure Kindiki, the funds are earmarked for the purchase of Armoured Personnel Carriers (APCs), 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 Kenyan frontline officers.
Through a statement released by the CS via X, the Government has invested Ksh.7.6 Billion in the last six (6) months and remains focused on the complete suppression and neutralization of terrorism, banditry, livestock rustling, and other organized criminal activities.
“Equipment and kitting of frontline officers currently deployed in Forward Operating Bases (FOBs) in the North Eastern Region, the Boni Enclave, Upper Eastern Region, and North Rift Valley remain key deliverable priorities for the Kenya Kwanza Administration,” part of the statement read.
On Wednesday, 20 March 2024, Kindiki commissioned and dispatched the first batch of equipment to support Operation Maliza Uhalifu in the North Rift Valley, which he noted will 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.
Among those present included Principal Secretary Dr. Raymond Omollo (Internal Security and National Administration), Inspector General of the National Police Service (NPS) Eng. Japhet Koome, 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.
