The government is progressively enhancing the capacity of state security agencies through recruitment of more personnel, establishment of formed units and elite squads and advanced training programmes for officers.

The Internal Security Principal Secretary Dr Raymond Omollo yesterday said events surrounding the September 2013 Westgate attack taught Kenya invaluable lessons on vigilance, preparedness, emergency response and the importance of never lowering our guard against any threat to our public security and safety.

The PS also said the private security sector had plugged into the national security architecture, adding that the government was set about streamlining the industry, which has not only elevated its overall security infrastructure, but also spurred significant job creation and contributed to economic growth.

Security operations

“This approach has yielded tremendous results in terms of the number of foiled terror attacks targeted at us. The end goal is to sustain the highest level of surveillance along the borders and covert and overt security operations across the country and neutralise the enemy before they strike,” he added.
The PS was speaking during the commemoration of the 10th anniversary of the Westgate Mall terror attack.

The Director General of the Private Security Regulatory Authority (PSRA) Fazul Mohammed said the government is in the process of fully integrating the private security industry into the national security infrastructure.

This will enhance intelligence gathering, information sharing, crime detection and deterrence, crime scene protection and the collection and preservation of evidence.

Fazul said private security officers have for years been a reassuring presence in almost every sphere of life in our country.