State to spend Sh7bn annually to modernize police equipment – Kindiki
CS Kithure Kindiki has stated that the Ministry of Interior plans to allocate a minimum of Sh7 billion each year to upgrade the equipment utilized by security officers.
On Tuesday in Baringo, Kindiki mentioned that the government has already given the green light to a five-year plan for this purpose.
The program will spend at least Sh37 billion.
Kindiki disclosed that originally, the sum was established at Sh20 billion, but President William Ruto augmented it by Sh17 billion.
“Therefore, we will be spending an average of Sh7 billion every year, to modernize the equipment for our security officers,” he said.
“The first consignment of modern equipment that includes MRAPs, aerial surveillance kits that include drones and personal protective gear is on the way and will be arriving in the country in the next seven to 10 days.”
Recognizing the measures implemented to secure the necessary equipment for the ministry, Kindiki noted that Ruto has placed a high priority on the nation’s security.
He mentioned that they took control of the nation during a period of severe economic challenges, requiring them to exert extra effort to generate the funds necessary for the program.
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He mentioned that the country’s economic advancement is interconnected with its security and stability.
The computer scientist mentioned that he has already issued instructions to ensure that once the shipment arrives in Mombasa, emphasis will be placed on distributing it first to Ngaratuko, Baringo North, and Tiaty regions.
This will involve MRAPs, unmanned aerial vehicles, devices for movement, and protective gear for personnel in armored vehicles.
Kindiki mentioned that despite having made orders for airplanes, it will require more time for them to arrive in the country.
“…Because when we order aircrafts there is what they call lead time. It’s going to take maybe late next year (2024) for us to be able to get the gun-ship helicopters that are part and parcel of this equipment program,” he explained.
In the message, he also disclosed that the government has refurbished certain aircraft for operational use.
“Even as we wait for the aircraft under this program, we have two others which we want to station one in North Rift and another one in Northeastern,” Kindiki added.
State to spend Sh7bn annually to modernize police equipment – Kindiki