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Kenya: Nation gets nuclear arms detection kit
Wed. June 20, 2007 12:29 pm.- By Bonny Apunyu. -
(SomaliNet) People entering and leaving Kenya will have to undergo rigorous checks from Customs officials trying to flush out weapons smugglers now that Kenya has acquired nuclear arms detection kits.
The East African nation will now have the capacity to detect nuclear and biological weapons at its borders and other entry points.
The development follows Tuesday’s donation to Kenya of equipment that can detect nuclear and radioactive material, as well as chemical and biological weapons, by the US government.
The deputy chief of mission at the US Embassy, Ms Pamela Slutz while presenting the equipment valued at Sh5.9 million to the Kenya Revenue Authority, said Kenya’s security was important to her country.
Ms Slutz said the equipment was part of continued funding aimed at strengthening Kenya’s capability in detecting illegal weapons crossing its borders.
The equipment could also be used in checking sub-standard goods, she said.
Commissioner of Customs Wambui Namu said that while KRA’s role in the past had been more of revenue collection, emerging threats to national security required the department to take up a greater role in enforcement.
“Being at the entry and exit points of every nation, customs officers need to be appropriately equipped to enable them tackle the proliferation of illegal arms into their countries. The concept of fortified borders is key to national security,” she said.
Mrs Namu further said that the US government had provided her department with detection equipment at the conclusion of a training on weapons of mass destruction.
“Apart from safeguarding the authority against possible revenue leakage, the team is also involved in ensuring security of cargo to prevent entry of harmful substances and equipment into the country,” she said.
The equipment would go a long way in improving Kenya’s security enforcement efforts and overall performance of the Customs and other interested organisations.
Other than the equipment, the US government had through the Bureau of Customs and Border Protection supported the KRA and other agencies through capacity building programmes. The training also focused on legal authorities.
The second phase of training is set to begin next month.-Nation
News Category: East Africa
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