Under Kibochi, KDF engages more in civilian duties Nyambega Gisesa At the Kenya Meat Commission (KMC), machines that are as old as the country’s independence are back in shape as the facility roars to full operational capacity, the first time in several decades. And for the first time, the agency, which only made a profit shortly after it was set up sometime in the 1950s, is hoping to bury its long streak of losses. In the coming weeks, President Uhuru Kenyatta is expected to share the meat processor’s extraordinary story of revival, which became possible after its operations were handed over to the Kenya Defence Forces last year. The handover was as shocking as when the government – a few weeks before – announced that all government-owned aircraft would be under the military. For the past one year, KDF and Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) General Robert Kibochi have increasingly become more visible in the running of the country. This month marks one year sin
CHILDREN ABLED DIFFERENTLY RECEIVE SPECIAL AID DEVICES IN ELDORET – Ministry of Defence – Kenya mod.go.ke - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from mod.go.ke Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
Kenya opens rifle factory
by Jeremy Binnie
Kenya’s President Uhuru Kenyatta formally inaugurated the new Small Arms Factory at the National Security Industries in Ruiru, north of Nairobi, on 8 April, in what he described as the beginning of the country’s plans to become a significant weapons manufacturer.
President Kenyatta (left) inspects one of the rifles produced by the new Small Arms Factory. (State House Kenya)
In a speech during the opening, Kenyatta said the factory was built for KES4 billion (USD37.5 million) and can produce 12,000 assault rifles a year, with 60% of the components being locally manufactured.
“This ground-breaking initiative will allow us to lay the foundation for addressing the high cost of weapons acquisition, free us from the complex foreign export approval processes currently in place, provide Kenya with greater security sector independence and flexibility, and allow Kenya to design and produce high-quality weapons, customised to our unique nee
Kenya builds weapon factory to handle growing security threat Tuesday, 13 April 2021 15:11
(Ecofin Agency) - On April 8, Kenya inaugurated its very first firearms manufacturing plant. The launching ceremony took place in the presence of the Head of State himself, Uhuru Kenyatta.
The facility is located in the city of Ruiru and has an annual capacity of 12,000 weapons. It will run 60% with local raw materials. The output of this more than $37 million investment will mainly be used to equip the local security forces, helping them to better fight the growing security threat in the country.
With this investment, Kenya could in the long run become a gun exporter. Nairobi seeks, through this strategy, to reduce the costs of acquiring weapons on external markets. These costs have risen in recent years after terrorist attacks by the Islamist group al-Shabab, which prompted the authorities to strengthen the national internal security and defense against external aggression.
Analysis: Why Ruiru small arms factory is good for Kenya standardmedia.co.ke - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from standardmedia.co.ke Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.