The Government of Kenya has purchased over 300 military vehicles, which police officers will use to disperse and ruthlessly deal with protesters during the 2017 elections.
The vehicles arrived in Kenya in December 2016 while others-trucks-were being branded at General Motors Garage along Mombasa Road.
The military vehicles are named Cougar MRAP,which are mostly used in volatile regions like Iraq,Afganistan,Yemen and Syria. The truck is a 3-door, diesel powered, 3-ton capacity 4-wheel drive Mine Resistant Ambush Protected vehicle. It is equipped with an automatic transmission and in addition to the driver and co-driver, has seating for 4 additional passengers. Each seat is equipped with a 4-point safety harness. The vehicle is also equipped with driver/co-driver doors, as well as double doors for the passenger compartment, and a single vehicle accessibility hatch on the roof.
The Cougar is equipped with dual A/C units (24,000/48,000 BTU/hour), is NBC overpressure and filter protected, and is equipped with a 9,000-pound capacity electrically powered winch. The unprepared fording depth is 39 inches, an approach angle of 40 degrees and a departure angle of 50 degrees.The Cougar is capable of travel both on and off road and is equipped with run-flat tire inserts. The Cougar-H is air transportable by the C-17.
The armor package provided by the Cougar-H provides all round coverage against 7.62mm ammunition (the glass is 7.62mm multi-strike resistant.) The Cougar-H can survive the detonation of a 30-pound TNT charge under the front and rear axels and a 15-pound charge under the center of the chassis. Ballistic protection is provided for the radiator, tires, battery compartment, fuel tanks, engine and transmission. The V-shaped hull is specifically designed to redirect the blast out and away from the vehicles passenger area. While the vehicle may be disabled by the explosion, its passengers will not be injured, and the vehicle can be recovered and repaired.
This particular vehicle will provide maximum protection for the driver and the occupants, but will ensure no protesters will have freedom of destroying property, no matter the force they will use.
It is believed President Kenyatta will retain his seat but the opposition could be forced to contest the result. In the same period, protesters will be on the streets. But look at the vehicles that will deal with them.
