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KDF receives top of the art military choppers to hunt down Al Shabaab

The Kenyan military has received six of eight Bell Huey helicopters, valued at $106 million (Sh11 billion), for the war on al Qaeda-linked terror group al Shabaab.
 
 

Inspector General of Police, Joseph Boinnet on Wednesday issued a warning to the public that the Al-Shabaab militia were regrouping along the Kenya-Somalia border in readiness to carry out attacks.

Boinet, said the militants are known to take advantage of the ongoing rains to infiltrate the country through the general areas of Kolbio and close to Hulugho area in Garissa County.

The Cabinet Secretary of defence, Rachel Omamo received the aircraft today.

The versatile war-tested choppers are expected to assist troops who are part of the African Union Mission in Somalia, that has been conducting operations against terror group al Shabaab.

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The choppers have the capacity to operate in hot conditions and at high altitude and will be used in evacuation and/or deployment of troops, delivery of supplies and air assaults, amid efforts to secure Kenya and the region.

The other two will be delivered to the Kenya Defence Forces in May 2017.

USA ambassador to Kenya, Robert Godec who was present during the delivery commended Kenya for making good progress in strengthening security and said USA will continue supporting Kenya.

"The US welcomes the efforts Kenya is making. We are going to stand shoulder to shoulder with you in this war," Godec said as quoted by the Star.

The helicopter are as a result of a memorandum of cooperation signed by Kenya and USA in 2010.

The Kenyan military further received 36 vehicles, spare parts and assorted equipment from China early this week on Wednesday.

Among the equipment the Chinese government handed over were water and fuel bowzers; fire-fighting units with engines and protective regalia; a refrigerated trucks, excavators and recovery units and vehicles for Kenyan troops.

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