Kenya to modernise military, security equipment

Kenya President Kenyatta's remarks came as heavily armed terrorists attacked Nairobi's Westgate shopping mall Sep 21

Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta said his government will modernise the military and other security equipment to foil attacks.

"As a nation, we must have the assurance that our machine is efficient and superior to our enemies, whoever they be. You see, we are always greater than the sum of our parts," kenyatta said Monday at the second annual Kenya Defence Forces day in Nanyuki town, reports Xinhua.

Kenyatta's remarks came as heavily armed terrorists attacked Nairobi's Westgate shopping mall Sep 21.

Kenyan security forces were only able to end the attack and restore order four days later.

Somali Islamist group Al Shabaab claimed responsibility for the deadly attack saying it was in response to Nairobi's October 2011 military intervention against Al Shabaab in Somalia.

"We will do everything we must to make Kenya peaceful, and we will take peace and security to our neighbours if our peace and security is threatened," Kenyatta added.

He commended the country's defence forces for the professional manner in which they have handled both local and international assignments despite the risks involved.

"As a nation, we must embrace integrity and fight corruption with the resolve required to combat terrorists," Kenyatta said.