PS says porous border a setback to security

Kenya’s long porous border with her neighbours remains the biggest challenge in fighting insecurity, Immigration Principal Secretary Gordon Kihalangwa (pictured) has said.

Maj Gen (Rtd) Kihalangwa regretted that despite government efforts to keep the country safe, inadequate resources make it difficult to man border points.

The PS spoke during a retreat by the boarder management committee members in Kisumu, and noted that illegal passages known as “panya” routes have aided smuggling of goods and illegal immigration, which pose security threats to Kenya.

“Resources are never enough, and we cannot build a wall enclosing the entire country. The limited resources have also made it difficult to ensure adequate patrols in these areas,” said Kihalangwa.

He said that state agencies including the Kenya Maritime Authority, Kenya Revenue Authority, Kenya Coast Guard, National Police Service, Immigration Department and National Intelligence Service are working together to manage the border points.

The PS urged communities living near the border to report cases of smuggling.

“Our border control is effective but we can do better. Every border has its own peculiarity and Kenyans must help in border control and Nyumba Kumi be placed to help in the border management,” he said. Kihalangwa added that the government has set up the Coast Guard to patrol the waters.

“Every sovereign stated takes care of its border and in the presence of the Coast Guard, we believe that the security around the boarders is going to improve,” he said.