US to donate 16 helicopters, 150 armoured vehicles to Kenya
By username, May 30, 2024The United States of America is donating 16 helicopters and 150 armoured vehicles to Kenya, State House Spokesperson Hussein Mohamed has announced.
In a statement on Thursday, May 30, 2024, Mohamed said that the agreement for the donation was signed during President William Ruto’s state visit to the US.
Mohamed says the donation entails 150 mine-resistant ambush-protected vehicles, scheduled for delivery in September 2024, eight utility helicopters, to be delivered in September 2024 and light utility helicopters, to be delivered by early 2025.
“The USA is now donating to Kenya 16 helicopters and 150 Armoured Security Vehicles under an agreement signed between the two countries during the President’s State Visit. The specifics are as follows: 150 Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected Vehicles, scheduled for delivery in September 2024. 2. 8 utility helicopters, to be delivered in September 2024. 3. 8 light utility helicopters, to be delivered by early 2025,” he said.
Jet to US
The State House spokesperson has also revealed that the jet Ruto travelled in was donated by the United Arab Emirates Government at less than Ksh10 million.
“Kenya operates in the international multilateral arena and is therefore a friend, partner, and ally to many countries. As explained by the President on Thursday, the cost of the jet he travelled in for the historic and successful US State Visit was offered by friends of Kenya at a relatively low cost. In this specific case, the United Arab Emirates Government offered the aircraft at less than KSh10 million,” he said.
“This is how nations operate, supporting and partnering with each other for mutual prosperity, and there are plenty of examples to illustrate this.”
Mohamed said this is not the first time Kenya is receiving donations from the UAE. He says in 2018, Kenya received six military-grade Fennec helicopters and three Ecureuil trainer aircraft, valued at over Ksh4 billion, from UAE.
“In 2018, the UAE government donated to Kenya six military-grade FENNEC helicopters and three ECUREUIL trainer aircraft. The donation included accompanying servicing spares, spare parts, and tools, cumulatively valued at Kshs 4 billion,” he added.
“Yes, Kenya has friends, and their interest is to have a secure partner state with which they can trade, invest, and collaborate. This is why, last year, we sent our military to the Democratic Republic of the Congo -as part of an East African force – at our own expense to stabilize the country and our region in general. Again, this is how nations work.”
He says the jet from UAE was the most economical way the President and his delegation could have travelled to the US.
“At under KSh10 million, this was the most efficient and economical way for the President and his delegation to undertake a trip of this magnitude. The President continues to lead from the front in implementing austerity measures to ensure Kenya lives within its means. He is encouraged by government ministries, departments, and agencies taking the cue and is on course to ensure Kenya records a balanced budget in three years’ time,” he said.