By CYRUS OMBATI
The national spy agency now has more eyes and ears on the ground after boosting its intelligence gathering capacity in time for the introduction of county governments.
More than 300 new spies have joined the National Security Intelligence Service (NSIS) and are undergoing training at the National Intelligence Academy.
It is believed NSIS is being strengthened to cope with expanded roles under the new Constitution.
The recruitment of the undercover agents was done a few moths ago to help the spy agency in achieving its mandate.
NSIS's former headquarters in Nairobi. The spy agency is a vital component of the security system. [PHOTO: FILE/STANDARD] |
With the promulgation of the new laws, the agency’s name changes to National Intelligence Service (NIS) and it is tasked with security intelligence gathering and counter intelligence roles.
"There is nothing sinister because they will be there to serve Kenyans," said an official at the Office of the President who asked for anonymity.
The advertisement for vacancies in the agency was published in the print media in May 2010.
Insiders said the recruitment was done in anticipation of the new Constitutional dispensation in the country. NSIS officers are some of the best-paid government personnel.
Office of the President, under which NSIS falls wants to ensure deployment of the personnel is done in all regions, once the new Constitution is operational.
Currently, there is an intelligence officer in each of the 278 districts across the country.
Overstretched
Some sources argued that with the recent increase of the number of districts in the country, the operations of the agency have been overstretched.
"No one wants to be caught off-guard when the Constitution starts to work," added the source.
NSIS collects internal and external intelligence for analysis and action. The new Constitution has changed the name of the agency to National Intelligence Service (NIS).
Article 242 of the Constitution says NIS will be responsible for security intelligence and counter intelligence to enhance national security.
It will also perform other functions prescribed by the national legislation.
In 1998, a new Act of Parliament in Kenya established the National Security Intelligence Service (NSIS) to replace the former Directorate of Security Intelligence, which was commonly known as the ‘Special Branch, the dreaded wing of Government.
It was part of the Kenya Police Department and was used to crack down on political activists fighting for reforms.
The NSIS brief, like many intelligence organisations, is to gather and exploit secret information.
Threats
It identifies conditions that threaten Kenya’s political, economic and social stability. It subsequently develops opportunities and strategies to neutralise such threats.
The Current NSIS Director General Maj-Gen Michael Gichangi took over from retired Brig Wilson Boinett.
Boinett was appointed by former President Moi to head NSIS.
Kenya’s spy agency is divided into seven sections including Information Technology, Internal Intelligence, External Intelligence, Analysis & Production, Operation and the National Intelligence Academy and administration.
The NSIS was recently in the news after Attorney General Amos Wako sensationally claimed its agents approached him to make illegal changes to the draft of the proposed Constitution before it was printed.
In the new Constitution the NIS is considered a critical security organ, listed alongside the Kenya National Defence Forces, the National Police Service.
The primary object of the national security organs and security system is to promote and guarantee national security in accordance with principles of national interest and prosperity.
security organs
Under the new Constitution, Parliament is expected to enact laws to provide for the functions organisation and administration of the national security organs.
It was not immediately clear if any bills relating to the NIS were being drafted to help the institution conform to the new Constitutional order.
Previously, the agency was called Special Branch, and it was a dreaded arm of the police. Its officers could arrest and drag suspects to court.
But the NSIS has been professionalised, with its officials being civilian agents who collect information and share it with other government security organs.
But of late, the agency is regarded to have either lost its ability to be on top of events as they unfold, or its briefings are being ignored.
A lot of questions were raised about the effectiveness of the agency after the post-election violence erupted in 2008, following a disputed presidential election.
