Continuous training and technology key in war against terrorism- ATPU boss says

Sustained and continuous training and technology for multi-agencies are key in counter terrorism programme in the country.

Head of the Anti Terrorism Police Unit John Gachomo said this will increase the capacity of personnel involved in the war against the vice and hence stop any planned attack.

“Training coupled with technology, will go a long way in helping our country build its ability to counter terrorism financing framework which is the root of all terror operations across the globe,” he said.
He spoke at a training on Counter Terrorism Financing for a multi-agency team comprising of the Directorate of Criminal Investigations, Office of the Directorate of the Public Prosecution and Financial Reporting Centre.

The training was organised by the British Government which is increasing the capacity of agencies involved in the war on terrorism in the region.

Meanwhile, prisons authorities have devised new ways of managing Violent Extremist Offenders because of concerns associated with their ability to attract new recruits while incarcerated or plan attacks upon release.

Commissioner General Wycliffe Ogalo revealed with the population of extremists in the facilities, they have had to come up with new measures to tame its spread to others.

“The service has adopted interagency collaboration and partnering with key criminal justice system players like the National Counter Terrorism Centre (NCTC) in the quest for fighting terrorism and countering violent extremism in Kenya,” he said.

Globally, there is an increase in the rates terrorism, violent extremism and radicalization. Therefore, prisons are having to house and increasing number of radicalized inmates.

This is especially pertinent, as it has been seen that terrorists and violent extremists often use their time within prison trying to radicalize their fellow inmates hence the move by the authorities to tame the spread, he said.

Among the measures that the officials are taking is segregating the prisoners from other inmates during incarceration, which will require better allocation of resources from government.

Prison staff are also adequately being trained, so as to implement such rules to keep terrorists and other offenders away from one another.

Authorities are also coming up with measures to ensure ex-inmates receive adequate support to successfully reintegrate back into society once they have left prison.

NCTC is also rolling out a holistic and comprehensive de-radicalization programmes for terrorist inmates and those who have not been jailed.

There is concern that violent extremism and radicalization in prisons is of increasing concern to the international community It presents specific technical challenges to countries, including the ability to protect against, and disengage prisoners from ideologically-based violence.

Kenya, in particular, has experienced numerous terrorist attacks in the last decade, which in addition to fatalities, have resulted in massive economic losses with a long-term impact on foreign direct investment.

The apparent continuing threat of violent extremism was reaffirmed during the past Al-Shabaab terrorist attacks in various places including the Dusit complex in Nairobi.