IOM and Government of Kenya on Enhancing Security Along Kenya-Somalia Border in Lamu

Lamu - IOM, the UN Migration Agency, with support from the Government of Canada, organized the second specialized training for Kenya aimed at tackling transnational organized crimes particularly trafficking in persons and smuggling of migrants and persistent insecurity along the Kenya-Somalia border.

The training held from 13-15 February 2019 in Lamu County was attended by 21 (20 male and 1 female) multi-agency Border Management Committees (BMCs) from KenyaMaritime Authority,Kenya Airport Authority,Kenya Revenue Authority,Border Police, Kenya Port Authority, Kenya Navy, Immigration, National Intelligence Services, Maritime Police, LAPSSET, Fisheries Department,Department of Criminal Investigation, Kenya Wildlife Service and National Police Services.

The committees were formed by the government to achieve coordinated border management effort in Kenya, and to improve migration management, border control and national security.

The overall objective of the training is to improve coordination and reduce transnational organized crimes particularly trafficking in persons and smuggling of migrants. The Kenya-Somalia border has been facing recurrent migration- related and transnational organized crime and terrorism incidences.

The special focus on Lamu was Maritime security concerns. The border here due to its porosity has experienced continuing incidences of insecurity and illegal business including movement of contraband goods and arms smuggling among others according to the Lamu Border Management Committees (BMCs).

Mr. P.M Kioki, Lamu County Police Commander, in his opening remarks cited that, “Criminals are active and clever and they keep changing tactics. It is, therefore, important that Border Management Committees are constantly updated on these changes in tactic and coordinated, to overcome the criminal network”.

Currently, the Kenya-Somalia border faces myriads of challenges ranging from terrorism to human trafficking and migrants smuggling. This training is part of efforts to enhance security and border management in Kenya, Tanzania and Somalia, with funding support from the Canada Government.

Under this project, IOM Kenya has organized similar specialized trainings for Garissa BMC in June 2018, a Training of Trainers ( ToT) in Naivasha in September 2018. The trained officers are expected to rollout training and community
engagement sessions in Mbita and Rhemba this February at Kenya- Tanzania borders.

For further information, please contact the IOM Kenya Public Information team: iomkenyaPI@iom.int. ©IOM 2019. All rights reserved.