Kindiki Bags Deal With UK Govt To Fight Terrorism, Wash Wash, Extremism

Interior Cabinet Secretary (CS) Kithure Kindiki on Wednesday, May 10 hosted United Kingdom (UK) Security Minister Rt. Hon. Tom Tugendhat for bilateral talks and signing the Kenya-UK Security Compact 2023.

The two thereafter held a joint press briefing at Harambee House in Nairobi whereby the CS revealed the aim of the talks amid the changing face of National, Regional, and Global security threats that require cooperation and strengthened partnerships to handle them.

At the same time, Kindiki announced that Kenya and the UK signed a renewal of the security compact between the two countries to combat dangerous crimes including violent extremism and cybercrimes.

Interior Cabinet Secretary (CS) Kithure Kindiki (left) and United Kingdom (UK) Security Minister Tom Tugendhat (right) at Harambee House, Nairobi, on May 10, 2023. /MINISTRY OF INTERIOR AND NATIONAL ADMINISTRATION

"The talks focused on community security, prevention of violent extremism, counterterrorism, regional security, immigration crimes, cyber security, serious organised crime, child protection, and movement of illicit commodities. 

"We have also signed a renewal of the joint security compact between Kenya and the United Kingdom. We are also looking at expanding areas of cooperation between Kenya and the UK," the Interior CS announced. 

The CS also noted that Kenya is revamping its security sector to deal with the rampant vice of illegal financial activities that include money laundering, commonly called 'wash wash'.

“We have identified the need to strengthen the flow of illicit financial activities and to be able to reign in on money laundering and the financing of terrorism and other illegal activities.

“We have also signed a letter of intent for cooperation between Kenya and the United Kingdom in information sharing with regard to maritime security,” noted Kindiki.

The deal will also see police officers receive special training to handle security challenges across the country.

“We have been able to sign off an agreement for cooperation in the area of training of our National Police Service and we are going to develop a detailed action and activity plan to ensure that we leverage the long experience of the United Kingdom to support Kenya to enhance our policing capabilities,” he stated.

"The training will go a long way in enhancing Kenya’s preparedness to ensure we have a stable country," he stated. 

On his part, Tugendhat stated that the deal would ensure the protection of the people of both nations who are facing similar threats.