Border security beefed up to curb threats and easen travel, business
By Zadock Angira, March 6, 2025The government has enhanced border security operations to deal with the emerging threats.
Some of the security challenges have been attributed to the opening of the borders and visa free travel.
Measures have been put in place to stave off security threats and enhance legitimate trade and travel.
International Organisation of Migration (IOM) Chief of Mission Sharon Dache yesterday held a meeting with the officials of the Border Control and Operations Coordinating Committee (BCOCC).
Internal Security Principal Secretary Raymond Omollo, who chairs the BCOCC said a total of 395 frontline border officers have been trained at the Kenya School of Government on the new curriculum, the Kenya Coordinated Border Management Programme (KCBMP).
IOM yesterday donated three patrol vehicles to support border security operations between Nairobi and Nadapal, Turkana County.
“This handover marks a significant boost to border security operations, enhancing mobility, surveillance, and rapid response capabilities,” the PS said.
He added that the partnership between the Border Management Secretariat (BMS) and the IOM continues to play a crucial role in enhancing Kenya’s border security and governance.
According to PS Omollo, the multi-agency approach has seen terrorism, human and drug trafficking, smuggling and other organised crimes reduce.
Traditional border control operations became inefficient over time due to multiple threats like transnational organised crimes.
Kenya has also come up with at least five strategies to ensure efficiency and security at the various ports of entry and exit.
BCOCC has established better and coordinated approaches to data collection and analysis, and this has translated to improved capacity in Kenya’s individual and joint operations.
There is also enhanced sharing of information and resources among various law enforcement agencies, and it is now easier to identify and respond to threats of a hybrid nature.
“In this regard, we are progressively reducing the use of forged travel documents; illegal migration; human trafficking; smuggling of weapons; trafficking of narcotics; and money laundering o,” the PS said.
The government has also improved the clearance of persons at the points of entry and exit and increased trade volumes.