Inside Ksh81 Million Special ATPU Base Launched By CS Matiang'i
The police station will provide a dedicated space for the ATPU to work on terrorism cases...
Marvin Chege 
British High Commissioner, Jane Marriott, and Cabinet Secretary for the Ministry of Interior and Coordination of National Government, Dr Fred Matiang'i on Wednesday, July 20 opened the first Anti-Terrorism Police Unit (ATPU) Coast Regional Headquarters and Mombasa Police Station, worth Ksh81 million.
The police station will provide a dedicated space for the ATPU to work on terrorism cases, according to a statement by the British High Commission.
It will also allow direct access to the ATPU for the public, creating more awareness about the ATPU’s work and strengthening its relationship with the local community.
UK High Commissioner to Kenya Jane Marriot, Interior CS Fred Matiang'i and IG Hillary Mutyambai during the opening of the new ATPU headquarters in Mombasa. /UK IN KENYA
In line with human rights compliance and international standards such as the Mandela Rules, the design of the station includes a secure detention facility with separate cells and private ablution amenities for men, women and children.
It is a testament to the UK and Kenya’s shared commitment to the rule of law and international human rights.
“With the assistance of our partners, we have steadily grown our capabilities to confront terrorism and other transnational crimes. We are immensely grateful to the people of the United Kingdom, through the British High Commission (Nairobi), for our continued warm and cordial working relationship and particularly on Counter Terrorism.
“The building being opened today has state of art rooms including, storage areas, conference room, IT room, server area, armoury, CCTV room, 9 holding cells for male, female, and juvenile all fitted with fixed beds, modern toilet and adequate ventilation,” CS Matiang'i said.
“Kenya is the UK’s premier security partner in East Africa. A primary focus of this partnership is to strengthen counter-terrorism capacity within the criminal justice system, in line with international human rights standards. The UK works with stakeholders across the criminal justice pathway, including investigators, detention supervisors, prosecutors and the judiciary, all of whom are key to preventing and disrupting terrorist activity.
“Terrorism is one of the biggest threats facing our countries. To counter this threat, I am delighted to support Kenya with approximately Ksh1 billion (£7 million) a year," Marriott weighed in.
The building has dedicated spaces for different ATPU teams – investigations, evidence analysis and forensics - enabling them to work together under one roof.
It also has a multi-agency room for the ATPU to invite in and to work closely with other national security bodies and international partners in a secure environment. A training room is also available to facilitate the ATPU to embed key skills across their personnel.
The ATPU building was constructed alongside the Mombasa Police Station.
Over the last year, the UK has supported the ATPU with various activities including training on terrorist financing, witness interviews, IEDs, gender sensitivity as well as the delivery of an internationally accredited Training of Trainers programme.
As its closest partner in counter-terrorism in East Africa, the UK stands with Kenya in its joint fight against terrorism.
The country invests approximately Ksh1.1 billion (£7 million) a year to support Kenya’s Counterterrorism (CT) efforts.
Interior CS Fred Matiang'i shows delegates the new ATPU headquarters in Mombasa. /UK IN KENYA
