JOHN LEMERELE: Terrorism remains greatest security threat to Kenya

Terrorism generally poses a high threat in Kenya.

The terrorist threat is especially high along the Somali border and comes from the al Shabaab group, which has a dangerous anti-Western ideology and has carried out a number of attacks against people and property.

The ongoing insurgency of the extremist group al Shabaab in neighbouring Somalia poses significant security challenges for Kenya.

Recent travel warnings from influential global powers such as the US and China further highlighted Kenya’s evolving security situation.

These warnings serve as a wake-up call, highlighting the continuing threat posed by extremist groups and the need for increased vigilance.

The United States continues to warn its citizens and organisations about the risk of terrorist attacks in Kenya, urging caution in major cities and tourist areas.

China, as a key ally and investor, has also expressed concern and issued travel advisories to warn its citizens of potential risks.

The threat of terrorism has significant implications for Kenya’s security, social cohesion, and economic growth.

Terrorism takes innocent lives, instils fear, disrupts public services and discourages foreign investment.

Furthermore, the threat extends beyond cities like Nairobi and Mombasa into rural areas in Lamu, Mandera and the Northeast region, where there are security measures are not sufficiently robust.

Somalia’s porous border facilitates the movement of weapons, illicit trade and the recruitment of often extremist individuals.

A multilateral approach and cooperation are crucial to counter terrorism.

Beyond the commendable deterrence efforts implemented so far, our security agencies need to prioritise and implement a comprehensive security strategy considering recent global warnings and insights from influential partners.

Sharing intelligence and strengthening coordination between domestic and regional security agencies is essential.

This includes investing in advanced monitoring technologies, developing partnerships with international partners and improving intelligence gathering and analytical capabilities.

Engagement with residents is also critical in building trust and cooperation between security agencies and civilians. Community policing programmes, improved dialogue and providing socio-economic opportunities can address underlying grievances and vulnerabilities exploited by extremists.

Cybersecurity has emerged as another important security threat.

Increased reliance on technology and the internet has made individuals, businesses and government agencies vulnerable to cyberattacks. Cybercriminals can target sensitive information, budgets and infrastructure, causing significant disruption and financial losses.

Kenya should invest in strong cybersecurity infrastructure, to raise awareness of cyber threats and introduce robust cybersecurity measures to combat this growing threat.

Security expert spoke to the Star