Elite members of the United States Diplomatic Security Service (DSS) landed in Nairobi ahead of Secretary of State, Antony Blinken, Kenya, Nigeria and Senegal tour set for November 15 to 20.
Diplomatic Security is the federal law enforcement and security bureau of the US Department of State. The security detail is tasked with securing diplomacy and protecting the integrity of US travel documents.
According to its website, DSS has the largest global reach of any US federal law enforcement agency. DSS is spread across 29 US cities and in more than 270 locations around the world.
Over 2,500 special agents are attached to the Diplomatic Security Service (DSS). These agents work as security engineering officers, security technical specialists, diplomatic couriers working and travelling worldwide.
DSS mobile security deployments are on-call tactical operation teams always ready to deploy anywhere domestically and abroad within 12 hours of notification.
Multiple units are always deployed to protect and respond to US facilities and personnel worldwide. The agents are trained to navigate through any worldwide crisis whenever called upon and also escort the Secretary of State in global tours
Security Clearances
For this role, DSS conducts personnel security background investigations for the US Department of State and other federal agencies.
These investigations provide information to help classify individuals who should have access to classified information or Department of State resources and facilities.
Diplomatic Couriers
These are US government officials properly trained and approved by the Secretary of State to ferry classified materials across international borders.
Currently, DSS has approximately 100 couriers who provide secure and swift delivery of classified and sensitive materials between US diplomatic missions and the Department of State.
DSS also has law enforcement partners who guide it in matters litigation and legal reviews.
US Secretary of State, Antony Blinken, will meet President Uhuru Kenyatta in Nairobi to discuss issues centering around the pandemic and regional security issues touching on Somalia and the ongoing crisis in Ethiopia.
In Nigeria, he is expected to meet President Muhammadu Buhari. The duo will hold talks on global health security, expanding energy access and revitalizing democracy. In Senegal, Blinken and President Macky Sall will discuss how to strengthen their two countries relationship.
Blinken is one of US President Joe Biden’s trusted secretaries. He has worked for three presidential administrations with his career in public office spanning three decades.
He has also served in the private sector, civil society, and journalism.
