Interior Principal Secretary Raymond Omollo has proposed a sweeping overhaul of Kenya’s border security strategy, citing the urgent need to counter irregular migration and persistent terror threats. Writing in the Daily Nation on Wednesday, September 3, Omollo outlined a four-pillar plan anchored on advanced technology, improved coordination, and community involvement.
Central to his proposal is the integration of modern surveillance systems, including drone monitoring, biometric identification, and artificial intelligence-powered analytics to detect and deter illicit movements. He stressed that Kenya’s security apparatus must move beyond traditional tactics. “We cannot simply seal our borders and call it a solution,” Omollo noted, underscoring the need for real-time intelligence gathering and interoperable platforms across agencies.
Currently, intelligence collection falls largely to the National Intelligence Service and the Kenya Defence Forces’ Intelligence Corps. However, Omollo insists that the approach must become more anticipatory and inclusive, warning that Kenya’s porous frontiers particularly with Somalia and Ethiopia remain hotspots for infiltration by militants and irregular migrants.
The PS also called for rapid expansion of border infrastructure and recruitment of highly trained personnel to respond to emerging threats. But perhaps the most striking aspect of his plan is the emphasis on empowering border communities as “strategic partners.” Omollo acknowledged that many residents feel neglected by Nairobi, a perception that has fueled apathy and, at times, collusion with cross-border actors due to shared ethnic and family ties.
His concerns are echoed by data from the International Organisation for Migration (IOM). An August 2024 report showed that Somali authorities recorded 23,314 migration movements that month, with 1,632 heading into Kenya. Meanwhile, Ethiopia saw nearly 11,000 migrants use the Southern Route through Kenya between January and October, averaging 1,100 per month.
Omollo argues that without urgent action, such trends could expose the country to attacks like the Garissa University and Dusit D2 tragedies. While timelines for implementation remain unclear, the PS insists the government must act swiftly: “Our border-related intelligence must be actionable, inclusive, and anticipatory.”
If realized, Omollo’s plan could mark a paradigm shift in Kenya’s long-running battle to secure its vulnerable frontiers.
