State's silence on US plane deal suspicious

The silence from Kenyan authorities on allegations by concerned US congressmen that we could be getting a raw deal in the planned purchase of military aircraft is deafening, to say the least!

Sadly, we have buried our heads in the sand like the proverbial ostrich! Irrespective of whether the deal is legally compliant as claimed by the US ambassador to Kenya, Mr Robert Godec, the fact that it does not represent value for money as alleged by his congressional bosses ought to raise our eyebrows.

With a shoestring budget, burdened by foreign debts and desperately seeking to turn the tide in its war against the Al Shabaab, one would have expected the Kenyan government to meticulously shop for the right aircraft from credible manufacturers.

The controversial purchase may not be the first time we have got a raw military deal. For many years, the Kenyan military has invoked secrecy in its procurement of equipment. But this policy has only served to protect the interests of powerful, local and international cartels rather than our national security interests.