Police officers in Kenya are demanding new vehicle models, specifically Toyota Land Cruisers, to replace their current Mahindra vehicles due to logistical concerns and the risk of prisoner escapes. An officer highlighted the unsuitability of Mahindra vehicles for the rugged terrain and poor road conditions, particularly when accessing Maranjau Prison in Murang’a County.

• Chief Inspector Albert Kipchumba, the Officer Commanding Station (OCS) at Kenol Police Station, reported that Mahindra vehicles carry up to 22 prisoners at a speed of only 10 kilometres per hour.
• The OCS explained that the Mahindra vehicles struggle with Murang’a South’s hilly landscape and clay-rich soil, frequently breaking down and compromising operational efficiency.
• Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen stated that the government is in the final stages of procuring new vehicles for the National Police Service, national government administrators, and prison officers, with the process expected to be completed by October or November.