Kenya: President Uhuru Vows to Equip Security Forces to Curb Somalia Threats

Addis Ababa, 8 March, 2014

– There is a
high threat from regional neighbours and
local terrorism in Kenya. The main threat
is from Somali militants of Al Shabaab, a
they opposed to the Somalia governments and
its allies. Somali Al Shabaab has issued public
threats against Kenyan Authorities because of
its military intervention in Southern Somali
city of Kismayo. The Kenyan Security forces
have increased security to counter potential
reprisal attacks from Somalia.
Therefore, Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta
today vowed to equip Kenyan security forces
in response to emerging challenges such as
terrorism.
Uhuru, who addressed Kenyan cabinet and
principal secretaries during the ongoing
retreat in Nanyuki, said his government has
embarked on a modernization of all its
security agencies to cope with emerging
security threats.
“For a long time, the security sector has not
been given the attention it deserves. We are
changing that,” the president said.
The East African nation faces security
challenges related to resurgence of militias in
the coastal region and war against Al- Qaida
linked Al-Shabaab in Somalia.
President Kenyatta said more resources will be
allocated to the Kenya Defense Forces and the
National Police Service to enable them to
carry out their mandate more effectively.
He listed steps taken to boost security
including the training of officers, the purchase
of modern equipment, the leasing of vehicles
to boost mobility and the construction of new
houses for officers.
Defense Cabinet Secretary Raychelle Omamo
welcomed the president’s assurance of a
larger allocation of resources to the KDF.
Omamo said the move would enable the KDF
to better play its role in defending and
protecting the country’s sovereignty and
territorial integrity.
She said the increased allocation would make
KDF more efficient in its cooperation with
other authorities in situations of emergency
and disaster anywhere in the country.
She also commended the KDF for its
exemplary peacekeeping performance, both
regionally and globally.
According to the 2013 military ranking, the
Kenyan defense forces is sixth in Africa after
Egypt, Ethiopia, South Africa, Nigeria and
Algeria; and 46th in the world.

(Sources Xinhua News Agency and HAN)

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