Kenya Signs Sh9.8bn Armored Cars Deal With Turkish Firm
Kenya has signed a deal worth Sh9.87 billion with Turkish armored vehicles manufacturer Katmerciler for new armored fighting vehicles, its largest single order for such vehicles in several years.
Otieno Cynthia 
The firm made the disclosure in a regulatory filing on Wednesday filed with the Turkish stock exchange the Borsa Istanbul.
The contract is expected to strengthen Kenya’s armed forces in the latest effort to boost its capacity in the war on terrorism.
The Vehicle deliveries are planned for next year with the full order to be completed in 2023.
The Kenya Defence Force earlier said the vehicles will be deployed for counter-terror operations against the Somalia-based Al-Shabaab militant group.
The vehicle has a carrying capacity of nine personnel and is also equipped with special elements to protect troops from landmine or improvised explosive devices.
The Turkish manufacturer said the new vehicles can be used for combat, command and control, chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear defense, weapon carrier, ambulance, border security, and reconnaissance.
“The Hizirs will provide the Kenyan troops protective mobility wherever they are deployed,” said a Katmerciler official.
Nairobi has recently been keen to strengthen its security and trade ties with Istanbul in the face of growing terrorism threats.
President Uhuru Kenyatta last month met his Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdogan in Turkey during the Antalya Diplomacy Forum.
