Kenya, UK sign pact to boost cooperation in security sectors

NAIROBI — The East African nation of Kenya and the United Kingdom on Wednesday signed an agreement to boost cooperation in various security sectors.

Kithure Kindiki, Cabinet Secretary in the Ministry of Interior and National Administration, told reporters in Nairobi, Kenya’s capital, that the bilateral agreement signed with visiting British Security Minister Tom Tugendhat covers cooperation in combating terrorism, cybercrime, human trafficking, and illicit financial flows.

“The action plan for the agreement signed today will be finalized in the next two weeks,” Kindiki said during a joint press conference with Tugendhat.

According to Kindiki, the two nations also agreed on a framework for cooperation in the area of training Kenya’s police force, which will go a long way toward improving the East African nation’s preparation to preserve peace.

He also announced that Kenya and the United Kingdom have signed a letter of intent to share information on maritime security.

Tugendhat stated that the bilateral accord is founded on the two countries’ obligation to protect their nationals.

The UK’s Security Minister stated that, given the increasing internationalization of crime, cross-border cooperation is the best way to ensure national security.