Interior ministry set to acquire 1,152 vehicles and 4,000 motorcycles

The government is now seeking to undertake an infrastructure upgrade, training and provision of mobility and logistical support for the Interior ministry departments as well as administrators stationed across the country.

This is according to Interior Principal Secretary Raymond Omollo, who said that the project – which is set to be executed through the Government Vehicle Leasing Program – will come in handy in improving the capacity and service delivery of the State officers.

Mr. Omollo noted that, as it stands, National Government Administration Officers (NGAOs) only have slightly over 400 vehicles at their disposal, which are not sufficient enough to enable them properly carry out their mandate, hence at least another 1,152 are needed.

He made these remarks on Friday during a security meeting with senior government administrators at the Kenya School of Government (KSG), Lower Kabete, presided over by Chief of Staff and Head of Public Service Felix Koskei.

"As you are aware, NGAOs currently have only 432 vehicles. There is a deficit of 1,072 vehicles for field officers, 80 vehicles for Ministry Headquarter Departments and Agencies, and 4,000 motorcycles for Chiefs and Assistant Chiefs whose acquisition will go a long way to enhancing their operations," stated the PS.

He also commended NGAOs across the country for their efforts in ensuring the safety of Kenyans, noting that their responses have positioned the Interior ministry as one of the key enablers of sustainable and inclusive socio-economic development in the country

"As the Chairs of the respective Security and Intelligence Committees in their jurisdictions, these officers have progressively cascaded the all-of-government approach to security and law enforcement," he stated.

The PS further noted that through the help of the administrators, the government has managed to recover over 100 firearms from civilians and silenced the bandits in the North Rift who have wreaked havoc in the region for decades.

Mr. Koskei, on his part, said the government has resolved to change tack in tackling the menace of corruption in public service which he said has derailed development in the country.

Moving into the next financial year, the Head of Public Service said that the government will focus on enforcement of zero-tolerance policy on corruption and the enhancement of service delivery to mwananchi at the grassroots.

“We will allow the investigative agencies to proceed with their mandate, EACC, DCI will continue with their mandate of investigating and getting to know what really happened in the circumstance that there is an issue of corruption,” Mr, Koskei said.

“That is why we have been having a series of meetings targeting areas that are prone to corruption, areas like public works, health, procurement and finance to have this conversation and come up with ways of ensuring never again will a government be defeated in fighting corruption.”