The Kenyan and UK governments on Monday agreed to review a Ksh1.8 Billion security agreement struck in 2023.
In a post shared by the Ministry of Interior following a meeting between Principal Secretary Raymond Omollo and UK High Commissioner Neil Wigan, it was revealed that the two governments had agreed to review the agreement dubbed Borderlands Security Compact with a view to broaden the scope of collaboration to encompass Cybersecurity and Police reforms.
The pact which was signed by the UK Security Minister Tom Tugendhat MP and Interior Ministry Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki in May 2023, aims to firm up security cooperation between the two countries, particularly in terrorism.
As part of the deal, the British government committed to funnelling Ksh1.8 billion (£10 million) each year towards various security operations during the three year period when the deal was expected to run.
The statement further revealed that the deal was expected to support counter-terrorism programmes, as well as commitments on defence, international cooperation, community security, law enforcement and criminal justice, cyber security, and bilateral, multilateral and regional coordination.
“Kenya matters to Britain. Seeing Kenyan troops march alongside other Commonwealth forces at HM The King’s Coronation was a reminder of our shared history and the promise of a strong future. By working with Kenya, our key security partner in East Africa, we are helping to keep both our peoples safe and strengthen global security”, explained UK’s security Minister Tugendhat
However, with the new reviews the funding will extend to the Police reforms which were recommended by a Taskforce led by former Chief Justice David Maraga.
One of the reforms includes revising minimum entry requirements for Police recruitment from a D Plus ( D+) to a C minus (C-) and extending training periods.
“After recruitment, the initial training should be extended from nine months to 12, with emphasis placed on competency-based training in line with international policing standards and introduction of a practical attachment component to the training of NPS officers”.
Additionally, the Maraga-led Taskforce recommended increasing funding for the Police Service as well as having the Cabinet Secretary, and Ministry of Interior develop a Sessional Paper on policing and reforms to guide the long-term transformation of the National Police Service.
