Boost for police as 3 choppers set to arrive in week's time

National Police Airwing Commander Rodgers Mbithi

Three police helicopters that were being overhauled in the Czech Republic are due to be delivered by April 1.

A fourth one will be delivered on June 1, officials said.

Two of the choppers are on their way to the country and are fully branded in Kenya Police colours.

A team of Kenyan officials led by the head of the National Police Airwing Commander Rodgers Mbithi, were handed the helicopters on Thursday, last week at a ceremony in the Czech Republic.

"We will be in Kenya next week with the helicopters," said Mr Mbithi.

The MI-17 are of the old model and were shipped out of the country for overhaul after exceeding their flight hours.

Another chopper has been bought from Russia and will be delivered next week, another official said.

President Uhuru Kenyatta said the Government had also purchased a new helicopter to be delivered by June from an Italian firm, Agusta Westlands, at the cost of Sh683 million.

"This is aimed at improving police ability to quickly move troops to any trouble spot and generally improve their mobility," said the President.