Ole Lenku: CCTV cameras to be installed at Kenya-Somalia border to curb terrorism

By Isaac Meso

Kenya: Interior and Coordination of National Government Cabinet Secretary Joseph Ole lenku has announced plans by the government to install CCTV cameras on Kenya/Somalia border to prevent infiltration by Al shabaab militants.

Speaking to CNN’s Nima Elbagir on Monday, Ole Lenku admitted that the incredibly porous 800 Kilometres Kenya-Somali border was a major ‘panya’ route for terrorists especially the Al Shabaab drawn from Somalia and hence the planned technological measures to keep them out of the country.

“The border is a major security concern as the points of entry are far too many. We are working on a surveillance system to show what is happening in the entire borderline. We are also putting up a command and control system that provides CCTV surveillance for the cities and also the border,” Ole Lenku  said during the interview.

The Cabinet Secretary also told CNN that corrupt security officers were a major setback to security and hence integrity will be a major consideration when recruiting new police officers.

“People are noticing that there’s a new requirement for service in terms of integrity and that those who will not meet that threshold will not be allowed into the service,” he said adding that the vetting process for police officers which began last week will see a number of corrupt officers removed from the system.

He also noted that his ministry was working on a program to synchronize the activities of the military, the police and other intelligence bodies in order to develop a common standard and operating procedure for forces in the country.