Poisonous liquor, terrorism: 12 security risks on agencies' radar this Christmas

The government has identified 12 key security risks ahead of Christmas and New Year celebrations, which kick off this week amid expected mass movements from urban to rural areas.

Top among the risks is transport, with heavy use of public and private vehicles, bodabodas and tuk-tuks.

Other threats include terrorism, poisonous liquor, narcotics, robberies, muggings, uncertified meat trafficking, crop and livestock theft, motor vehicle and boda boda theft, alcohol spiking, rape, defilement, incest, carjackings, and crimes against children that may interfere with the government’s policy of 100 percent transition to mandatory basic education.

Security agencies will also be monitoring gangland activities, which historically take advantage of festive periods to indoctrinate youths into their networks.

Deputy Inspector-General of Police Eliud Lagat said all units of the national security multi-agency partnership have been briefed on strategies to tackle the profiled risks.

 “We will be on top of security needs and will heighten our intelligence gathering, evaluate information into actionable measures, and ensure a rapid response,” said Mr Lagat during a tour of Kajiado County on Saturday.

He added: “The national security intends to make this Christmas one of the safest in our history, but to achieve this, all of us, including citizens, must play our part.”

Senior security officers have been meeting with field teams to develop working strategies. Interior CS Kipchumba Murkomen also released a statement urging the need for calm and stability nationwide.

“In a bid to ensure the safety of every Kenyan, a National Multi-Agency Command Centre has been activated to coordinate surveillance, intelligence sharing, and rapid response before, during, and after the festive season,” said Mr Murkomen.

The command centre brings together officers from the Kenya Defence Forces, National Police Service, National Intelligence Service, Kenya Prisons Service, Kenya Wildlife Service, Kenya Forestry Service, National Youth Service and the National Government administration.

Security personnel from these agencies, along with the Kenya Coast Guard Service, have been deployed across the country and all officers previously on leave have been recalled.

Heightened security 

Regional and county coordination centres have also been activated to strengthen operational command and control.

 “We have heightened, full-alert security measures for the festive season, with all police on duty. Agencies are collaborating, focusing on road safety through increased patrols and mobile courts, while ensuring overall public safety during Christmas,” Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja told Nation on Sunday.

All police officers on leave have been recalled to support these operations which involve both visible and undercover patrols. Mr Kanja urged that the focus is on areas where loss of life is anticipated, with extensive mapping of black spots and armed gangs.

Nairobi Regional Commissioner Gilbert Kitiyo said: “We are ready for Christmas and New Year. Our efforts are concentrated on highways and informal settlements where many vices tend to occur. Most Nairobi threats are gang-related, and we are ready for them.”

On his part, Kajiado County Police boss Alexander Shikondi, who hosted DIG Lagat on Saturday, said his region anticipates road traffic challenges, female genital mutilation gangs, smugglers along the Kenya-Tanzania border, and risks from uninspected meat and illicit brews.

In Maragua Division, where gangs involved in illicit brews and narcotics operate, Senior Assistant Commissioner Joshua Okello said: “We have worked hard over the last five years to make this region safer. We will not lose these gains this Christmas. Robbers, sex offenders, muggers, and those who exploit children for crime will have a rough time.”

Nyando Sub-County Police boss Isaiah Mose said the region faces violence, illicit brews, narcotics, and crimes against children, but officers are competent and will rely on ground partnerships to maintain safety.

In Embu,  County Commissioner Morris Wanyonyi said his team  will monitor cartels transporting drugs, meat contraband, and fuel siphoning gangs along major roads. His Wajir County Commissioner Karuku Ngumo noted that, despite the region’s unique festive practices, his officers will actively participate in the national security plan to prevent crime.

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