Kindiki says cyberspace now a major security threat

By Moses Muli

Published: April 3,2024 11:05 AM

Cyberspace is now a leading threat to national and transnational security, the government says.

Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki said the cyberspace has become the fourth frontier of the nations’ border security after land, sea, and air owing to its increasing threats.

Speaking when opening the inaugural border management conference in Nairobi, Kindiki said the concept of the border has changed in the sense that, while the physical border still exists, there’s also the virtual border which has become even more critical to manage and control than the physical border.

The conference brings together countries that share a border with Kenya. Its theme is ‘Building on Coordination and Moving Towards Integration’.

The event seeks to address drivers of conflict and strengthen cooperation in trade and the safe movement of persons.

“As we struggle to harness our efforts to control and manage the physical border, we are confronted with the virtual border, which is giving us even more complications,”  Kindiki said.

He emphasized the need for vigilance and collaboration of citizens and neighboring countries in sharing intelligence to curb crime.

The three-day conference is attended by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, the Intergovernmental Authority on Development, the European Union delegation to Kenya, diplomats and government officials from agencies that fall under the sector.

They include the Kenya Maritime Authority, National Counter Terrorism Centre, Kenya Ports Authority, Lamu Port-South Sudan-Ethiopia-Transport Project, Kenya Revenue Authority, Anti-Counterfeit Authority, NIS, National Police Service, and Kenya Coast Guard Service as well as representatives of Ethiopia, Somalia, Uganda, Tanzania, and South Sudan.

These countries share 3,556km of border space with Kenya.

Interior Permanent Secretary Raymond Omollo said the conference seeks to build a culture of collaboration and synergy to mitigate against common challenges.

He said the adoption of a multi-agency approach at the points of entry and exit has seen the government improve its data collection and analysis, which have translated to effective operations.

“It is now easier to identify and respond to threats of a hybrid nature, including cross-border and transnational organized crimes. In this regard, we are progressively reducing the use of forged travel documents, illegal migration, human trafficking, smuggling of weapons, trafficking or narcotics, and money laundering among other crimes,” Omollo said.

The government is now progressively reducing the use of forged travel documents, illegal migration, human trafficking, smuggling of weapons, trafficking of narcotics and laundering of money, among other crimes.

The PS further stated that clearance of persons at the points of entry and exit has improved.

There have also been increased trade volumes as a result of the smooth movement of people and goods across borders.

“These achievements have had a tremendous ripple effect on our national security, which is a critical driver and enabler of sustainable development,” he said.

Omollo said Kenya has witnessed remarkable strides in enhancing border security and management through investment in advanced technologies to detect threats more swiftly.

All this is aimed at ensuring consistency and efficiency in border operations across all ports of entry and exit.

Kenya’s decision to abolish visa requirements for all foreign visitors from January 1, 2024, was criticized as being an avenue that will allow criminals into the country.

However, the government implemented an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) system that visitors must obtain before travel unless they are citizens of eTA-exempted countries.

“We must be able to strike a balance between facing trade and movement and making sure that we do it securely,” said Omollo.

The International Organization of Migration chief of mission in Kenya Sharon Dimanche said the organization is committed to working with Kenya to ensure that the illicit flow of goods and persons is mitigated with the removal of visa restrictions.