Use new police gear to enhance security

President Uhuru Kenyatta tries his hand at rifle when he launched some of 500 security vehicles at Uhuru Park ahead of 2017 General Election. PHOTO JOHN MUCHUCHA/STANDARD

The launch of 525 police vehicles by President Uhuru Kenyatta on Monday this week is in keeping with the Government’s pledge to step up security. Terrorist attacks on the country in 2014 and regular raids by cattle rustlers in parts of the country and the lack, or poor security personnel response betrayed security shortcomings that needed to be addressed sooner than later.

Earlier positive measures included the setting up of a police forensic lab and the Sh15 billion partnership with Safaricom to set up surveillance cameras across major cities. The number of policemen in active service has risen to 99,000 officers, surpassing the Government’s target of 1 officer for every 535 as promised by President Kenyatta in his 2013 State of the Nation address.