Government to spend Sh20 billion in fight against terrorism

By Peter Ochieng

The government will spend billions of shillings to neutralize terrorist group Al Shabaab, in North Eastern.

Cabinet Secretary (CS) for Interior Professor Kithure Kindiki on Friday revealed that the government has set aside Sh20 billion for security operations, aimed at dealing with Al Shabaab threat in the region.

“We have had security challenges caused by an enemy from across the border who have caused loss of lives and property. I want to say, on behalf of the Kenyan government, that we will use all available means to ensure that we end this terrorism threat,” Kindiki said, while speaking in Garissa County.

He said the Sh20 billion allocation will go into buying state of the art security equipment.

“The government has allocated Sh20 billion for state-of-the-art equipment for our security officers to ensure they have vehicles, choppers and body armour to protect themselves during operations. I want to say that the days of terrorism, killing of our security and government officers are over."

He noted that Kenyans from all parts of the country deserve to enjoy peace and security, in equal measure.

“We want to make sure that the same sense of security in Kiambu or Mombasa should be the same feeling of security here in Garissa and other parts of the country,” added the CS.

Former President Mwai Kibaki send Kenyan troops to Somalia in 2011, to fight Al Shabaab militants.