Monday, June 3, 2024
By Kuti Bore
A government worth its salt prioritizes security of its country, protects citizens from all manner of threats abound and advances national interests.
This explains why the security agenda dominated the Kenya and United States commemoration of 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations since both governments are fully cognizant of their mandates.
The Kenyan government is committed to fighting terrorism, which remains an existential threat affecting the country. Terrorism being a transnational crime, the Kenya-US counter terrorism partnerships provide the much-needed impetus to diminish the threat posed by Somalia-based Al-Shabaab terrorist group.
As America’s top Eastern Africa ally, Kenya continues to partner with the US in counter terrorism operations in Somalia through the Kenyan forces attached to African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS), which previously operated as African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM). The US provides air support through its African Command (AFRICOM) Base hosted in Kenya at Manda Bay in Lamu County.
In order to modernize and enhance the capacity of Manda Bay Airstrip to support counter terrorism operations in the region, the United States has pledged to construct a 10,000-foot runway. This is part of the security deals secured by President William Ruto during his historic State visit to the US themed ‘Partnership for Prosperity.’
The war against terrorism, which Kenya is spearheading, is critical both locally and the region at large to unlock the potential for growth and prosperity as terrorists can scare away investors leading to underdevelopment.
Kenya has been traditionally referred to as ‘the island of peace’ in a sea of turmoil, placing a huge task on it to provide leadership in the war on terrorism and mediate conflicts in Eastern Africa and Horn of Africa.
As a regional superpower in counter terrorism, Kenya is vested with huge responsibility to support neighbouring countries and spearhead partnership with other states like the US in pursuit of global peace and security.
In honour of Kenya’s security partnership spanning decades with mutual benefits, US President Joe Biden initiated the process of designating Kenya as a Major Non-NATO Ally (MNNA), potentially becoming the first Sub-Saharan African country to be granted such prestigious status.
The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) brings together 32 countries from Europe and North America to protect their people and territories through collective defence. It also deals with threats like terrorism and cyber crimes meaning Kenya will benefit through its association as MNNA.
Some of the countries with MNNA status include Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Colombia, Israel, Japan, New Zealand, Qatar and South Korea.
Kenya's joining of MNNA coincides with its deployment of 1,000 Police Officers under the Multi-national Security Support Mission (MSS) to Haiti to fight criminal gangs and facilitate humanitarian assistance to Haitians. Kenya will lead the mission which is sanctioned by United Nations Security Council Resolution 2969 and supported by the African Union to alleviate suffering of Haitians, who form part of the African diaspora. Both National Police Service (NPS) and Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) are reputed for peace missions having successfully served in many countries. NPS has lined up police officers from Specialized Units like Border Police, Recce, Anti-Stock Theft and Special Operations Group for deployment to Haiti due to their advanced skills in dealing with criminal gangs and terrorists like Al-Shabaab.
The United States has pledged $300 million and security equipment for MSS with other countries expected to provide resources for the mission including contributing troops.
By designating Kenya as MNNA, it will have access to sophisticated military equipment from the US to bolster war against terrorism in the country and even the region.
Already, Kenya has secured 150 M1117 armored vehicles from the US which are expected to arrive in the country by September this year to hit the ground fighting Al-Shabaab. With Al-Shabaab increasingly resorting to Improvised Explosives Devices (IEDs) attacks in Northeastern and Lamu, the specialized vehicles will assist security agencies to counter the threat.
In addition to the armored vehicles, security agencies will receive 16 helicopters, eight Hueys and eight MD 500s to support security operations.
Early this year, the Kenyan government commenced modernization of security equipment with purchase of Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected Vehicles for use by police in counter terrorism and anti-banditry operations.
As if reading from the same script, the US government has offered $7 million to modernize and professionalize the National Police Service (NPS) through training and development.
Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) also benefited from the security agreements signed between Kenya and US with its candidates expected to be trained in the prestigious US Military Academy, US Naval Academy and US Air Force Academy.
The new defence cooperation adds to the already existing security partnership between Kenya and US which are beneficial to the states and supports regional peace efforts.
In 2020, Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI) and US Department of State assisted Kenya to establish Joint Terrorism Task Force (JTTF-K) and trained Kenyan investigators to enhance their capacity to investigate and prosecute terrorists.
This partnership coupled with the Multi-Agency Approach in dealing with terrorism employed by the Kenyan government is bearing fruits leading to increased conviction rates of terrorists.
A case in point is the recent conviction of ISIS terrorist Mohamed Abdi Ali alias Abu Fidaa, alias Abu Shuhadaa, alias Abu Ramzi by a Nairobi Court for planning a biological terrorist attack using anthrax. FBI agents were part of the witnesses who together with those from Kenya's Anti-Terrorism Police Unit helped secure a 12-year jail term for the terrorist.
As part of the Kenya-US partnership, America has pledged to enhance information and intelligence sharing through Operation Gallant Phoenix (OGP) in which Kenya will join, and will be receiving terror-related updates.
President Ruto's State visit to the US lived to its billing by cementing the relationship between the two countries, improving capabilities of our security agencies and enhancing Kenya's capacity to support both regional and global peace.
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