Meet Kenyas first all-female SWAT team, a first in Africa

Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i on Friday presided over the graduation of an elite all-female Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) team.

The team of 48 commandos is the first of its kind in Sub-Saharan Africa.

Their training featured among others, the application of Israeli Krav Maga, multiple weapons handling techniques as well as explosives and IEDs management.

Speaking during the passing-out ceremony in Ngong, CS Matiang’i noted that the new team comes in a time when the country seeks to handle emerging security threats and hostage crisis promptly and with precision.

According to the Interior CS, the officers are not only ready to thwart terror threats and attacks but have demonstrated unmatched expertise.

“Today gives us confidence as the government that we have the capacity to protect our people and secure our country… Now we can rest assured that we have more officers who can undertake intricate security operations that require specialized approaches,” said Dr. Matiang’i.

The officers, who are drawn from the Administration Police Service (APS) have undergone five months of physical and combat drilling which is the first phase of their 15-months long standardized training.

On his part Inspector General of Police Hillary Mutyambai committed to progressively increase the contingent in the next intake.