IG Joseph Boinnet orders for registration of armored vehicles

The Inspector General of Police Joseph Boinnet has ordered anyone in possession of an armored vehicle to immediately declare it to the government in order to obtain an approval.

In an advertisement appearing in one of the local dailies, Boinnet said that all armored vehicles must meet the requirements of the newly enacted security laws set in the amendment act of 2014.

Under the act, no person is allowed to manufacture, assemble, purchase, acquire or have in his possession an armored vehicle unless he holds a certificate of approval issued under the act.

Boinnet warned that action will be taken against anyone found to have imported an armored vehicle or assembled it in Kenya and failed to declare it to the government through the Inspector General, the National Police Service and the Kenya Revenue Authority for approval.

The IG’s move comes after concerns were raised over several car companies in Nairobi and Mombasa that have started stocking an impressive fleet of armored vehicles that have reportedly attracted a huge but selected clientele ranging from several high profile Government officials and business personalities.

Civilian armored vehicles look typically similar to any standard car in its range, but are generally modified to incorporate layers of armor plates on the body panels, bullet proof glasses and sometimes sophisticated defense mechanisms and surveillance appliances.

However, due to their modification, their prices are slightly steep compared to regular cars with some going as far as 18 million shillings according to one on sale on OLX.