Fight against terror receives boost with armoured vehicles

The fight against terror received a major boost on Monday after President Uhuru Kenyatta commissioned 30 armoured personnel carriers for the police at the GSU Training School in Nairobi.

The sturdy vehicles are designed to offer protection to officers who have recently faced attacks by al Shabaab in areas along the country’s border with Somalia.

President Kenyatta said the purchase of the vehicles is part of the government’s police modernisation programme.

This comes barely two weeks after he announced an ambitious plan to modernise the police service to combat emerging crimes especially terrorism.

“My government is ready to give you any resources to fight terror,” he said.

The police last received equipped at such a large scale in 1995, more than 20 years ago. Experts say the force needs such sophisticated equipment as the face of terror is changing, with groups such as al Shabaab hitting with more force and in unexpected areas.

In some instances such as the Westgate attack in 2013, KDF soldiers had to be called in to assist the poorly equipped police officers.

The president identified other security threats facing the country as incitement of animosity, cattle rustling, religious extremism, economic saboteurs and theft of public funds.

The head of state reiterated the government’s resolve to improve the welfare of police officers.

“As my government works to improve your welfare, I also want your commitment to end real and perceived corrupt practices. The corrupt elements are within all the ranks,” he said.

The president said a modern command and control centre has been established and will be commissioned soon. This is in addition to the acquisition of 2,200 vehicles for the force.