Police officers in Murang’a County have raised fresh concerns over the use of Mahindra vehicles in prisoner transport, warning that the outdated fleet poses a serious security risk. Speaking during the Jukwaa la Usalama forum in Murang’a on Wednesday, Chief Inspector Albert Kipchumba, the Officer Commanding Station (OCS) at Kenol Police Station, appealed to the Ministry of Transport to urgently replace the Mahindras with Toyota Land Cruisers.
Kipchumba explained that the poor state of the access road leading to Maranjau Prison has made prisoner transfer operations increasingly risky. He noted that the Mahindra vehicles are unable to cope with the hilly terrain and clay-rich soil common in Murang’a South, especially during the rainy season.
“Our vehicle sometimes carries up to 22 prisoners at a speed of just 10 kilometres per hour. This is extremely risky in terms of potential escape and breakdowns,” Kipchumba said.
He further highlighted that the vehicles’ four-wheel drive systems struggle on the region’s rugged soil, causing frequent breakdowns that compromise the station’s efficiency. “Every time we use the Mahindra, we face difficulties. It cannot carry enough prisoners, and its four-wheel drive system is unsuitable for our terrain,” he explained, adding that the inefficiencies delay prisoner transfers and affect other operational duties.
The OCS’s plea underscores broader concerns about the safety of both officers and inmates during transit. “We are kindly requesting for Toyota Land Cruisers for our area,” Kipchumba urged.
In response, Cabinet Secretary for Interior, Kipchumba Murkomen, assured officers that the government is already addressing the issue. He revealed that the ministry is in the final stages of procuring new vehicles for the National Police Service, prison officers, and national government administrators to strengthen service delivery.
“We hope it can be closed in a month or two, by October, latest November,” Murkomen said, noting that the new fleet will improve efficiency and enhance safety across the country.
If implemented, the move will come as a relief to Murang’a South officers who have long struggled with inadequate transport solutions in one of the region’s most difficult terrains.
