GSU officer injured as vehicle hits suspected IED in Garissa

A GSU officer has been injured while several others escaped unhurt after their Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected (M-RAP) vehicle was hit by a suspected IED in Banane, Garissa.

The incident happened approximately two kilometres from Banane Centre in Damajale location some 80 kilometers from Liboi police station.

Police said the officers were on their way to Hargadera to pick up officers who had been off-duty when the incident occurred.

“The officers managed to escape unhurt save for one whose hearing had been affected by the explosion,” a report filed by an officer in charge of the Hamey GSU camp reads.

The vehicle was extensively damaged on the front part.

Security officers have since increased their patrols in the area as they pursue the attackers.

In November, four officers were killed after their vehicle ran over an improvised explosive device on the Dadaab-Fafi road while on routine security patrol.

Last year, President William Ruto revealed that the government has procured new police equipment including surveillance choppers.

Ruto said the state-of-the-art weaponry also includes specialized vehicles such as Armored Personnel Carriers (APCs) and drones.

He said it has been acquired for Sh25 billion under a modern security modernisation programme.

Speaking in Embakasi last month, Interior Cabinet Secretary Kindiki Kithure voiced similar sentiment saying police will soon get modern equipment to help them fight crime, foil terror incidents and protect themselves.

The CS said the first batch of the equipment, ranging from minesweepers to airwing equipment, will land in the country in the next few weeks.

Also to be improved include the mobility machinery such as vehicles and APC carriers to help the officers better combat violent criminals and terrorists.

He said the new acquisitions will be part of the Sh37 billion budget plan by the government to invest in safety of security officers. 

"The Sh37 billion will be invested in five years starting last year to ensure that our officers are better equipped," Kindiki said.

The CS was responding to pleas by widows of police officers killed in the line of duty, for more measures to protect security officers.