SHIOSO: Fostering partnerships in law enforcement

Between March 30 and 31, 2022, law enforcement dignitaries and their delegations from across Africa will be meeting in Nairobi under the auspices of the African Union Mechanism for Police Cooperation.

This high-level caucus is the 10th meeting of the Afripol Steering Committee, which is aimed at deliberating on crosscutting issues of crime that negatively impact peaceful coexistence amongst communities on one hand and contribute towards conflicts and underdevelopment on the other hand.

The choice of Kenya as the host was a strategic decision. Kenya’s leadership position on matters of security and peace remains eminent. For starters, Kenya is part of the exclusive club that presides over world peace, namely the United Nations Security Council.

This enviable position gives the country a vantage position to not only participate in varied global issues related to peace and security but also continue to make significant contribution to how the world is governed for the betterment of its population.

Taking a cue from the UNSC, Kenya was equally honoured when it was unanimously elected to preside over Afripol, a continental law enforcement body styled in the form of Interpol and charged with attending to all crime and security challenges that bedevil our continent. Kenya’s presidency of Afripol is held through the Inspector General of the National Police Service-Kenya, Hilary Mutyambai.

Hot on the heels of Kenya’s assumption of Afripol’s presidency, we were yet again visited with good news when Director of Criminal Investigations George Kinoti was elected as Africa’s delegate to the Interpol General Assembly.

In this pole position, Africa, through Kinoti, has a louder and direct voice at Interpol – the premier global law enforcement body that fosters partnerships and cooperation amongst member law enforcement agencies.

Kenya, therefore, through the National Police Service is a respected leader both globally and continentally, and not only sits at the table when issues of peace and security are under discussion but also takes the initiative to host and preside over strategic security meetings. It is in this light that Mutyambai is hosting and presiding over the 10th Meeting of the Afripol Steering Committee.

The committee is made up of five members of the Bureau of the General Assembly, the Commissioner for Peace and Security of the AU, the chiefs of the RPCOs and the executive director of Afripol. This membership, with its strong delegations, brings to the country rich law enforcement experiences and good practices.

Interpol General Assembly’s president Dr Ahmed Nasser Al-Raisi will grace the meeting as a special invited guest. Kenya’s Cabinet Secretary for Interior and Coordination of National Government Fred Matiang’i will be the chief guest during the official opening ceremony.

The NPS is glad to welcome all the visiting dignitaries and their delegations, wishing them fruitful discussions that will enrich law enforcement interventions across the continent. This will also forge more policing partnerships and cooperation globally geared towards a secure and peaceful continent.

Beyond the busy schedule of deliberations, we hope our visitors will take time to sample the peace, tranquillity and hospitality that Kenyans are renown for, in addition to sampling our exotic wildlife.

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