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The government has heightened surveillance at all ports of entry and exit to enhance trade efficiency and curb the smuggling of illicit goods.
Interior PS Raymond Omollo said a recent multi-agency operation intercepted 1,024 kilogrammes of methamphetamine worth Sh8.2 billion aboard a stateless vessel in the Indian Ocean.
The vessel, which had long been under international scrutiny for suspected narcotics trafficking in the Western Indian Ocean, had six Iranian crew members.
The six were arraigned on Monday and Tuesday at Shanzu law courts. They will spend 30 days in police custody to allow investigators to complete investigations into the seizure, which has been described as the largest narcotics bust in Kenya’s history.
Speaking after chairing the 64th meeting of the Border Control and Operations Coordination Committee (BCOCC) in Mombasa on Thursday, Omollo said the session focused on strengthening security across land and sea borders, while addressing emerging challenges and interventions.
“Most recently, if you look at some of the changes and interventions that we have benefited from in this multi-agency front. There is the recent case of the vessel that was at sea, which security agencies were able to impound,” he said.
The committee also conducted field visits to various border points in the Coast region, including the joint operation centre at the Port of Mombasa.
The PS lauded the BCOCC’s formation for improving coordination among government agencies, with border mandates that previously operated independently.
The BCOCC, which meets monthly, develops policies and programmes for managing and controlling ports of entry and exit (PoEs) across land, sea and air.
It also facilitates information-sharing between agencies responsible for border security and management nationwide.
Each PoE has a border management committee that exchanges information among agencies and partner states to support the movement of people and goods.
Omollo said several PoEs, particularly those along the borders with Somalia and Ethiopia, require upgrades to meet operational standards.
He also said the government is fast-tracking the completion of the Suam One-Stop Border Point, which has faced delays, to strengthen monitoring of people and goods entering from Uganda.
“Our borders are still very porous, and it becomes an attractive avenue for illicit trade, illicit movement. We have a determination as part of our engagement to fast-track the completion of these border points to have a complete view of who is moving in and out, and the goods that are coming in,” the PS said.
On health surveillance, Omollo said public health officers stationed at PoEs remain vigilant against potential disease outbreaks such as Mpox through vaccination and awareness campaigns.
“Beyond that, even in terms of outbreaks that are related to birds as well as plants, the relevant agencies are constantly on the watch because the impact of that, if not properly managed, will be very severe for the country,” he added.
