[PHOTOS] Kindiki chairs inaugural National Border Management Conference

Delegates and stakeholders on Tuesday convened for the Inaugural National Border Management Conference at Kempinski in Nairobi. 

Among the stakeholders present were Interior Principal Secretary Raymond Omollo, Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki and EAC PS Abdi Dubat. 

The Inaugural National Border Management Conference comes just a month after the government on March 4 launched the revised Kenya Coordinated Border Management Programme (KCBMP).

The border management programme aims to further strengthen national security.

Omollo said Kenya's strategic location in East Africa has long underscored the importance of effective border management in enhancing trade, ensuring national security, and promoting regional integration.

Omollo said Kenya has modernised border operations, embraced technology, and fostered collaboration among various border agencies.

For instance, he said, in 2014, recognising the need for a more efficient and integrated system, Kenya established the Border Control and Operations Coordination Committee (BCOCC), which brings together various government agencies to enhance communication and streamline operations across land, air, and maritime borders.

“We have also implemented the Integrated Customs Management System (ICMS) and other technological tools to expedite the clearance of legitimate goods while effectively detecting contraband,” he said.

He said Kenya is actively developing Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) to ensure consistency and efficiency in border operations across all points of entry.

Omollo said the achievements have laid the foundation for the concept of Coordinated Border Management, emphasizing collaboration, information sharing, and a focus on both security and trade facilitation.

“This holistic approach allows us to enhance security by working together as different agencies to identify and address threats such as smuggling and terrorism, boost trade through faster clearance times and streamlined procedures, and improve revenue collection by enhancing the detection of duty-evaded goods,” he said.

Omollo said the KCBMP is a groundbreaking initiative that reflects the commitment of the National Government to fortify and safeguard the national borders.

He said the launch and rollout of this revised program signifies a vital step toward ensuring the security and efficiency of Kenya's ports of entry and exit.