Elite all-female commandos graduate in Ngong

The graduation was presided over by Interior CS Fred Matiangi and IG Hilary Mutyambai. [Courtesy, NPS].

An elite all-female Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) team, the first of its kind in sub-Saharan Africa, has graduated in Ngong.

The 48 commando officers aim to improve Kenya’s war against organised crime.

They are drawn from the Administration Police Service and have undergone five months of physical and combat drilling.

The training was the first phase of their 15-month-long programme of standardised training.

Speaking while presiding over the passing-out ceremony in Ngong, Interior CS Fred Matiang'i said Kenya will handle emerging security threats and hostage crises promptly.

“What we have witnessed today gives us confidence that we have the capacity to protect our people.... We can rest assured that we have more officers who can undertake intricate security operations."

Their training featured application of Israeli Krav Maga, multiple weapons handling techniques as well as explosive and IEDS management.

The CS added that the government will look into improved welfare, advanced training, and capacity building.

Inspector General of Police Hillary Mutyambai commended collaboration with other stakeholders to improve security.

He spoke at a time when more than 300 criminal gangs have been formed in the past seven years, a new Government report has revealed.

The report titled Borderland-related Crimes and Security Threats, was released by the National Crime Research Centre, a State agency under the Interior ministry.

It says the number of gangs has risen from 33 in 2010 to 326 by 2017, which is an exponential growth of 897 per cent within seven years, or 128 per cent growth each year.