PRESS RELEASE THE NATIONAL SECURITY COUNCIL FIRST MEETING – 25.02.2014 The National Security Council held its first meeting this year, today 25 February 2014, chaired by President Uhuru Kenyatta. The NSC meeting discussed: Security situation in the country; The deteriorating situation in South Sudan; The Deployment of additional troops in South Sudan under the auspices of the UNIMISS; The enhancement of security at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) and other airports; I). Security The NSC discussed the prevailing security situation in the country and noted two areas which presented immediate concern. Increased threats of radicalization; and Persistent conflicts among pastoral communities The NSC noted that the threat of radicalization was manifested in increased prevalence of radicalization centres, and particularly Masjid Musa and Sakina Mosques in Mombasa and Pumwani Riyadh Mosque in Majengo, Nairobi. NSC further noted with concern the impact of radicalization on the political economic, social and security well-being of Kenya. NSC therefore approved measures to deal with the matter: Enhancing security measures to contain the threat; Targeting persons (leaders) preaching and financing radicalization; Dealing with economic hardships which lead to unemployment; Implementing the counter radicalization strategy developed by the Government; Engaging the youth in gainful employment; Continuous monitoring of all radicalization activities. NSC noted that conflicts, which adversely affected national security, currently affected Marsabit, Mandera, Tana River, Turkana and West Pokot, Samburu, Baringo, Taita Taveta, Kitui and Isiolo counties. NSC discussed these inter-communal conflicts and approved measures to resolve/end these conflicts including; Continuous engagement of the leaders in the affected counties at the highest level; Sustain peaceful building mechanisms; Adopt a regional disarmament programme; Diversify the economy in the affected areas away from one form of production; Enforce electronic branding of livestock among all pastoral people, and Strengthen the criminal justice system. (II) Deteriorating situation in South Sudan The National Security Council discussed the conflict in South Sudan and expressed deep concern. The NSC expressed deep concern over the continued and escalating military activities in South Sudan in total disregard and violation of the cessation of hostilities agreement. NSC received a briefing on the worsening humanitarian crisis including the increased inflow of refugees. It expressed expectation that the parties to the conflict will participate in talks in Addis with seriousness and in full recognition of the cost of inertia and non-contribution to the civilian population and the humanitarian crisis. It expected the monitoring and verification mechanism to actively carry out its mandate and begin reporting on violations so that humanitarian corridors can be opened. The NSC would like to see the African Union (AU) Commission of Inquiry to begin discussions in operationalizing its mandate. III) Deployment of additional troops to South Sudan NSC approved a recommendation to the National Assembly for the deployment of an additional 310 troops to the Kenya Battalion (Kenbatt 22) in South Sudan following the UN Security Council Resolution of 24 December, 2013. The additional deployment is necessary to increase the current strength to 1000 troops due to the skirmishes in South Sudan amongst factions within the SPLM. iv) Construction of an integrated Security Screening Facility at JKIA Finally, the NSC approved the construction of an integrated security screening facility on the approach to the JKIA. Once implemented, the project will also act as the coordinating point for the outer, perimeter intruder detection security systems, protection of the Kenya Pipeline Corporation Jet fuel depot, and the security operations base camp for protection against the threat of man operated Anti-Aircraft Devices (MANPADS) on low flying aircraft. NOTE TO EDITORS: The National Security Council is the apex security body in Kenya and comprises the President, Deputy President, Heads of the Kenya Defence Forces, Kenya Police Service, National Intelligence Agency, and the Cabinet Secretaries of the Interior and Coordination of National Government, Defence, Foreign Affairs and International Trade, and The National Treasury.
Posted on: Tue, 25 Feb 2014 21:27:34 +0000
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