Government of Kenya to spend over Sh12 billion on security

By Fredrick Obura

NAIROBI, KENYA: The government will spend over Sh12 billion going forward in dealing with rising cases of insecurity in the country.

The past few months has seen both civilians and Police officers lose lives to organized gangs and terror groups. Only last weekend Somali militant group Al Qaeda claimed responsibility to an attack along the Kenya Somali border that left police officers and civilians dead in the area.

Speaking on Saturday, President Uhuru regretted that several parts of the country have suffered incidents of insecurity in the recent past with criminals taking innocent lives while stealing and damaging property.

He said the Government has set aside Shs4 billion for the procurement of modern security equipment each year for the next five years and also proposed to allocate Shs4.5 billion for enhanced security operations, Shs1.5 billion for crime research and investigation, and another Shs 3 billion for financing the leasing of motor vehicles and fueling them for operations.

“I take the opportunity to reassure all Kenyans particularly students, teachers and parents in Bungoma, Mathare, Tana-River and other parts of the country that the Government we will defend you against marauding criminals to ensure unrestricted safety and freedom,” said Uhuru.

He said the Government has moved fast to stem the rising tide of criminal activities by deploying more security officers to vulnerable areas and equipping them to deal with emerging threats.

“The ongoing police reforms are also bearing fruit and it is our intention to ensure that we have an efficient, well equipped, motivated and responsive police service that will serve the nation impartially and deal firmly with criminals,” he said.

Saying security was the country’s top priority, the President added that his government has nominated the Interior and National Coordination Cabinet Secretary and forwarded his name to Parliament for vetting.

He directed law enforcement agencies to step-up their operations to secure the nation.

“I call upon the general public to partner with the police by providing information that may lead to the arrest and prosecution of criminals,” he said.