US envoy hands over anti-terror unit to Kenya

By CYRUS OMBATI

Kenya: The US has handed over the Anti-Terrorism Assistance Camp at the Kenya Navy Manda Bay to the Ministry of Defence.

US Ambassador to Kenya Robert Gordec handed over the facility to the Department of Defence (DoD) during a low-key ceremony on Saturday.

The facility was established in 2006 to train Kenya’s security agents in counter-terrorism activities.

Mr Gordec said the US was satisfied with the level of skill attained, noting that the joint operations undertaken were “test box cases”, and reaffirmed the desire of his government to strengthen its co-operation with Kenya.

He thanked Director of Anti-Terrorism Assistance Steve Parker and Head of Counter Terrorism in the US Embassy in Nairobi Madame Marian Cotter for steering the unit to attaining its objectives.

Principal Secretary of Defence Monica Juma received the facility.

Multinational effort

The PS pointed out that terrorism is a global threat to peace and security that required a multinational effort to combat.

She said due to the complexity of the threat of terrorism in the region, there was need for constant vigilance and highly structured collaboration with Kenya’s allies within and outside the region.

Since its inception, the camp has offered more than 16 courses in anti piracy, illegal fishing, human trafficking, explosive demolition, vessel boarding, search and seizure.

The beneficiaries of the courses are officers from the Kenya Defence Forces, National Police, Kenya Wildlife Service, Fisheries Department, Maritime Authority and Kenya Revenue Authority among others.

The development came as Kenyan security agencies intensified their operations in the wake of terror threats.