US announces Ksh.930M partnership to modernize Kenya's National Police Service

The millions that follow a State visit by President Ruto will focus on staff and training development and are culmination of 60 years of official U.S.-Kenya partnership celebrations. 

At the same time, the US government has pledged $4.9 million (approximately Ksh.650 million) to help Kenya combat transnational organised crime. 

The new funding for Kenya and other East African countries is expected to improve collaboration and coordination in combating criminal networks and holding criminals responsible.  

"Funding also supports capacity building and reform efforts within the Kenyan police and justice sectors," the White House said in a fact sheet to Newsrooms on Thursday. 

"Recognizing the regional role Kenya plays in combating transnational organized crime, the United States intends to provide $4.9 million in new funding for Kenya and other East African countries to improve cooperation and coordination in combating criminal networks and holding criminals accountable."

Other security sectors that will benefit from President Ruto's visit to Washington include the Defence Ministry, which is set to receive a 16-helicopter and 150-armoured vehicle fleet. 

According to a White House statement released on Thursday, the 16 helicopters include eight Hueys to support regional peace and security and eight MD-500s to increase Kenya's participation in peacekeeping missions.

According to the White House, the aircraft are scheduled to arrive in Nairobi between late 2024 and 2025.

 As part of deepening a legacy  of deepening a legacy of military training and capacity building between the two countries, in the summer of 2024, for the first time, the Kenya Defence Forces will have candidates starting courses at the U.S. Military Academy, the U.S. Naval Academy, and the U.S. Air Force Academy.

This, according to the White House, will go a long way in building on a long tradition of the majority of Kenyan general officers benefitting from U.S. International Military Education Training courses.

"The U.S. military currently has seven advisors in Kenya supporting Kenyan aviators and for the first time, the United States is providing a Strategic Logistics Advisor to Kenya’s Ministry of Defence," said the White House.