Kenya acquires 500 police vehicles to fight insecurity
Xinhua, January 17, 2017 Adjust font size:
Kenya has acquired 500 new vehicles to help fight insecurity in the country by enhancing mobility and welfare for security officers.
President Uhuru Kenyatta who oversaw the delivery of the vehicles said Monday his government has also procured 25 mine-resistant armored personnel carriers that will be deployed in the coastal and northeast regions.
"This sorry state of affairs meant that our police officers could not effectively execute their mandate of keeping this country safe and secure," Kenyatta said.
He said one of the most glaring gaps in the security sector, when the Jubilee Government came into power, was the lack of transport that hampered the effectiveness of the police.
The move to lease vehicles and aircraft is seen as a means of reducing spending on public sector transport where the various state agencies would buy and maintain their own fleet.
The fresh leasing drive is part of a major security enhancement plan that will also see the hiring of 10,000 regular and administration police in the next fiscal year.
A wave of insecurity has increased in the recent past, endangering public safety and denting the country's image as a tourist and investment destination.
In 2013, the National Police Service had only 3,155 police vehicles nationwide and most of these vehicles were in a state of disrepair, an issue which forced Kenyatta to launch a new scheme to equip the forces with new vehicles.
The Police have so far received 2,720 new vehicles under the national police vehicle leasing program and also procured 30 armored personnel carriers to improve police response and capability.
Kenyatta said in 2013, the police had only one working helicopter and two fixed wing single engine planes but today they have three serviceable helicopters and the fleet is expected to expand to seven by July.
He said investment in CCTV cameras and improved street lighting as well as better forensics is paying off.
He also called on the police and all other agencies with relevant mandates to deal firmly with incitement as the country enters the electioneering period. Endit