The United Nations officially opened a counter-terrorism office in Nairobi on March, Wednesday 9, 2022.
The Counter-Terrorism(UNOCT) will conduct functions that will leverage the strategic location and its history in fighting terror groups.
“Our Programme office in Nairobi will enable the UNOCT to work more closely with our partners to have a better understanding of national and regional needs and to strengthen the sustainability of our technical and capacity building assistance” the director of the United Nations Counter terrorism Center(UNCCT), Dr. Jehangir Khan stated during the event.
But what exact role will the UNOCT perform? Here are the six core functions to expect from the newly-launched facility:
1.Coordinate Training
The office will provide expert training to the national and regional counter-terrorism units. This will enhance Kenya and the region's capacity to tame terrorism, which remains a big challenge.
2. Logistical and tactical support
By leveraging the pre-existing cooperation of inter-agency working groups, the United nations office of counter terrorism will provide oversight and strategic level guidance in accordance with the implementation framework of the Counter-terrorism compact.
3.Upgrading the facilities of local security agencies.
The office will upgrade the facilities of local security and intelligence agencies. This will enhance the capabilities of the agencies in investigations and implementations of security strategies.
4.Upgrade early warning systems
The office will enhance cyber security and utilize artificial intelligence when analyzing the social networking of the terrorist groups. This will help security agencies to act in good time and foil planned attacks.
5.Financial support
It is costly to deploy specialized counter terrorism units in covert operations. The office will offer financial support to the national and regional counter terrorist units. The financial support will also go along way in ensuring that officers get quality training, and address staffing needs.
6.Engaging with financial institutions
The partnership of financial institutions and the United Nations office of Counter-terrorism will use strategies to flag and cut off illicit financial flows used to finance terrorism activities
In doing so, the office will adhere to the Global Counter terrorism Strategy in conducting its operations in Kenya.
The Global Counter Terrorism Strategy prioritizes the conditions conducive to the spread of terrorism, respecting human rights and rule of law in the fight against terrorism, enhancing countries’ capacity to combat terrorism and implement measures to prevent and combat terrorism.
Interior CS ,Fred Matiangi lauded the decision by the United Nations to partner with Kenya in bolstering national and regional efforts in targeting violent and extremist ideologies in the region.
