Katoo ole Metito is the Minister for Internal Security and Provincial Administration
NAIROBI, Kenya, Sep 27 – The government has announced plans to acquire a fleet of aircraft and boats for security agencies in the country.
Internal Security Minister Katoo ole Metito said the government will also purchase 4,000 vehicles for the police to enable the force discharge its duties effectively.
“The police department does not have enough vehicles. This is one of the areas that needs to be addressed urgently,” the minister said, adding the aircraft and boats will improve aerial and marine surveillance to deter crimes.
He said 1,000 vehicles will be procured annually to bridge the existing gap.
“A properly tooled police service guarantees the necessary security which is requisite in building investor confidence as the country strives to achieve the development targets as envisaged in the Vision 2030,” the minister said when he flagged off 617 motorcycles for chiefs and their assistants.
“Police reforms include the acquisition of the vehicles… we want to empower our law enforcement agencies to improve their work,” he said.
A team overseeing the implementation of the police reforms headed by Kenya Airways Chief Executive Titus Naikuni has called for the acquisition of adequate vehicles and other equipment for the police.
Already, the minister said, the government has set aside some Sh1.4 billion for the acquisition of motor vehicles for the police during this financial year.
Sh1 billion will be allocated for purchase of vehicles for the regular police while the remaining will be used by the Administration Police to purchase vehicles.
Lack of adequate vehicles and other equipment has often been blamed for the slow response of the police in emergency situations and other matters calling for their attention.
Almost every police station in the country has a deficiency of vehicles, according to lobby groups keen on security matters in the country.
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