Contractors and engineers working on key infrastructural projects in Northeastern will henceforth be provided with security to guard them against attacks.
Interior CS Kithure Kindiki made the announcement after touring Wajir, Mandera and Garissa counties on Tuesday for a series of engagements with county security and intelligence committees, leaders and residents.
The three counties have been targeted by terrorists over the years.
"The government will secure contractors and engineers working on key infrastructure projects in North Eastern Kenya and insulate them from criminal elements and extremists keen on sabotaging their operations," Kindiki said.
He added that the government has upscaled partnerships with the local communities to flush out criminal elements and violent extremists from within their midst.
Al Shabaab, the Somalia-based jihadist group has over the years staged attacks on vehicles, shops, homes and telecoms infrastructure in the Northeastern region.
In 2011, the group came under sustained pressure from Amisom troops forcing them out of Mogadishu and later from its headquarters in Kisimayo.
The group then adopted a survival strategy by establishing local cells and staging targeted attacks particularly in Kenya with the help of home-grown terrorists.
Kindiki, however, said the government is in the process of acquiring more sophisticated equipment to help the security apparatus deal decisively with the terror group.
"Procurement of more sophisticated equipment for the formed units is at an advanced stage as Kenya seeks to remain steps ahead of terrorists and criminals," he said.
The CS revealed that Sh20 billion has been set aside for the project in the best interest of the country's national security.
Among advanced security equipment that will be purchased include armoured personnel carrier vehicles and drones, Kindiki said.
