State procures new mobility equipment to boost fight against Al-Shabaab

The Government on Thursday announced that it will acquire new mobility equipment for security officers serving in areas prone to terror attacks.

Interior Cabinet Secretary Kindiki Kithure made the announcement when he launched one of the newly created administrative units, Eldas South Sub County, on Thursday.

He said security officers serving in Wajir, Garissa, Mandera and other areas that face the Al-Shabaab threat will make use of the newly acquired mobility equipment in the fight against terrorism.

"Next week, we are distributing equipment that includes Armoured Personnel Carriers (APCs) and Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAPs) to our security officers," said Kindiki.

He noted that the programme will ensure North Eastern, Upper Eastern and Upper Coastal Regions are safe and secure for development and investment like the rest of the country.

Kindiki assured that the government will also recruit more Kenya Police Reservists who will undergo training to supplement the efforts of the multi-agency security officers deployed in Wajir County to combat financiers, planners and orchestrators of terror attacks.

The CS also warned all involved in contraband trade, trafficking in narcotics, human trafficking, banditry and cattle rustling that the government will ruthlessly engage them.

Kindiki installed Samuel Mokua as the Deputy Sub County commissioner and stated that all the newly gazetted sub-counties countrywide will be operationalized within this financial year, to ease access to government services.

Wajir Governor Ahmed Abdullahi, Senator Abbas Sheikh, Women Representative Fatuma Jehow, Eldas MP Aden Keinan, Wajir East MP Aden Daud, Wajir South MP Mohamed Adow and Wajir West MP Mohamed Farah attended the event.

The leaders appreciated the government's consideration for the new sub-county and efforts geared toward the fight against terror.