President William Ruto has revealed that retired President Uhuru Kenyatta advised him to modernise the security agencies.
Speaking on Saturday during the 60th anniversary of the Kenya Navy in Kenya Navy Base in Mtongwe, Mombasa, Ruto said he intended to follow the advice.
“There is only one advice I got from the Commander -In- Chief who came before me. He asked me, when resources become available, to modernise our security agencies and I intend to do so,” he said.
He stated that the country is ready to deploy resources in the modernisation of police and military, noting that development going forward will be anchored on peace, stability and security.
This, the head of state said, is owed by the successful rollout of the government’s housing plan and the Universal Health Care.
Ruto explained that for the last two months, he held discussions with top Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) officials, including Defence Cabinet Secretary Soipan Tuya, to deliberate on how to improve the military.
“I have had discussions with the leadership of the Ministry of Defence are on the course because development going forward is going to be anchored on peace, security, and stability, without which all other endeavours of our nation will be in jeopardy.”
The Head of State said one of the main aims of modernising the military is to put in place a high state of readiness to ensure that military officers can respond swiftly and effectively to security concerns.
On Friday, Ruto said the government will modernise the National Police Service at a cost of Sh28 billion over the next two years.
Ruto said the government will seek the views of police officers on their preferred uniform, as the modernisation focuses on equipment and weapons, digitisation of police operations as well as constructing new housing units for police officers.
“I want to commit that I intend to see the process of modernisation to completion in the next two years so that we can have the equipment, vehicles and ammunition necessary to protect our country,” Ruto said.
