Kenya acquires armoured vehicles to fight terror

Over 30 state-of-the art armored vehicles were on Sunday offloaded at the GSU headquarters in Ruaraka, Nairobi.

The fighting wagons were imported last week and were dispatched to Nairobi at dawn, under tight security.

This comes a week after President Uhuru Kenyatta assured county police chiefs that new modern vehicles will be purchased to help fight terror.

“Kenya police force will for the first time in history acquire armored personnel carriers to increase their mobility and protective gear when deployed in volatile areas,” Uhuru said.

“You don’t have to depend on the military or other security agents for you to perform your duties, we will ensure you are properly equipped.”

A source within the elite recce squad told The Star that the vehicles are very expensive and will be dispatched to war-torn areas in the country.

“It is a directive from above, in fact we have never seen such modern fighting vehicles, they are very nice,” he said.

The source said Inspector General of Police Joseph Bionnet and other top security chiefs will be holding a meeting at Ruaraka GSU headquarters on Monday at 10am.

Police spokesperson Charles Owino, however, said he could not confirm the meeting.

But Owino admitted that security vehicles have been imported.

“I can’t tell about tomorrow’s meeting. What i only know is the importation of new armored vehicles,” Owino said on the phone.

Efforts to get more comments from GSU commandant Stephen Chelimo were futile as calls went unanswered.

Source:TheStar/Kenya