Members of the Anti-Terror Police Unit (ATPU) fighting to secure the country from terrorism aggression have received a shot in the arm after the launch of the first Anti-Terrorism Police Unit (ATPU) Coast Regional Headquarters in Mombasa.
While unveiling the ultra-modern facility on Wednesday, July 20, Interior Cabinet Secretary, Fred Matiang'i, noted that the new facility will aid the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) effectively fight terrorism.
He noted that the new building, which sports a shiny caramel brown exterior, is equipped with state-of-the-art rooms including storage areas, conference room, IT room and a server area.
Others amenities include armoury, CCTV room, 9 holding cells for male, female, and juvenile, all fitted with fixed beds, modern toilet and adequate ventilation.
The building has dedicated spaces for different ATPU teams – investigations, evidence analysis and forensics - enabling them to work together under one roof.
It also has a multi-agency room for the ATPU to invite in and work closely with other national security bodies and international partners in a secure environment.
“As a government, we applaud the UK-Kenya Security Compact agreed in 2018 and the incorporation of the UK Kenya Strategic Partnership 2020 - 2025, through which the British High Commission (BHC) has worked with the government of Kenya to establish this modern, purpose built police station with detention facilities for ATPU Coast in Mombasa.
“With the assistance of our partners, we have steadily grown our capabilities to confront terrorism and other transnational crimes. We are immensely grateful to the people of the United Kingdom, through the British High Commission (Nairobi), for our continued warm and cordial working relationship and particularly on Counter Terrorism," Matiang'i stated.
The construction of the building was a collaboration between the government of Kenya and that of UK aimed at boosting the country's fight against terrorism.
Over the last year, the UK has supported the ATPU with various activities including training on terrorism financing, witness interviews, IEDs, and gender sensitivity as well as the delivery of an internationally accredited Training of Trainers programme.
British High Commissioner to Kenya, Jane Marriott, in her speech, maintained that the UK will continue supporting Kenya's effort in fight against terrorism.
“Kenya is the UK’s premier security partner in East Africa. A primary focus of this partnership is to strengthen counter-terrorism capacity within the criminal justice system, in line with international human rights standards.
"The UK works with stakeholders across the criminal justice pathway, including investigators, detention supervisors, prosecutors and judiciary, all of whom are key to preventing and disrupting terrorist activity. Terrorism is one of the biggest threats facing our countries. To counter this threat, I am delighted to support Kenya with approximately Ksh1 billion (£7 million) a year," Marriot explained.
The ATPU building was constructed alongside the Mombasa Police Station.
