The chopper is fitted with special features such as night vision, a full medical evacuation kit and security cameras to enable police to effectively encounter security challengers across all parts of the country/MIKE KARIUKI
NAIROBI, Kenya, Apr 27 – The National Police Service has acquired a modern new helicopter to be used by the GSU Recce Company during security operations.
The chopper is fitted with special features such as night vision, a full medical evacuation kit and security cameras to enable police to effectively encounter security challengers across all parts of the country.
Interior Cabinet Secretary Joseph Nkaissery says this is part of the wider plan by the government to modernise and enhance police mobility.
“We will continue to modernise our national police service in terms of the air mobility and today we are receiving one of the best helicopters in the market today,” he said. “It has taken 10 months to manufacture.”
It was manufactured by an Italian firm Agusta Westland.
The chopper will also be used during rescue missions since it is fitted with hooks to lift either officers on ground or even armoury according to the CS.
“We will in a modest way airlift the Recce team to any part of the country,” he said.
During the April 2, 2015 Garissa University College terror attack that claimed 148 lives, the police service came under sharp criticism after it emerged that the Kenya Police Airwing was late to deliver the officers because it was flying a small group of civilians from Mombasa.
The CS further announced that three of the Police Airwing choppers that had been grounded have since been repaired.
The government will also be launching anti-riot vehicles, which Nkaissery says, “will be used to deal with those people who throw stones to police during protests.”
President Uhuru Kenyatta recently launched more than 30 Armoured Police Vehicles (APCs) in a move to boost the war on terror.
According to President Kenyatta, the APCs will reduce the Police Service from dependence on the military or other security agencies for performance of their duties.
“The purchase of the APCs is a very important milestone as it will go a long way in securing the frontier areas of our country,” President Kenyatta said.
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