Police boss pledges tight security during '27 Afcon

The National Police Service is implementing more stringent measures against terrorism and organised crimes during major public events, including the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon).

Deputy Inspector General of Police Eliud Lagat said the police is collaborating with relevant state agencies to establish robust security protocols.

Uganda, Kenya and Tanzania will jointly host the tournament, marking the first time the East African region is delivering the continental showpiece.

Mr Lagat spoke at Vigilance House, Nairobi, when he met experts from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), who are in Kenya for a two-day preparatory engagement with stakeholders ahead of a mission in November to assess the country’s nuclear security preparedness. They were accompanied by Kenya Nuclear Regulatory Authority (KNRA) officials.

“The police and relevant agencies will coordinate on the necessary security measures. We are fully preparing for all major public events, including Afcon, which we will co-host with our neighbors. Police are the first responders when anything suspicious happens,” said Lagat, who was flanked by Senior Assistant Inspector General Peter Ndung’u.

The experts’ visit is part of the IAEA’s International Physical Protection Advisory Service (IPPAS), aimed at evaluating Kenya’s security frameworks and offering recommendations to enhance nuclear security. The team was led by IAEA’s Tapani Hack and Moustafa Tall.

KNRA Director for Nuclear Security Isaac Mundia and Licensing Deputy Director Michael Atogo called for a proactive approach to nuclear security, urging stakeholders to embrace expert recommendations as Kenya seeks robust measures to counter emerging threats.

“As we all know, police have an important role in civil security. We’re happy to work with the service. Such engagements are crucial in fostering collaboration among entities involved in nuclear security,” Mundia said.

On Tuesday, the experts held discussions with officials from KNRA, Kenyatta National Hospital, Kenyatta University Teaching and Referral Hospital, the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI), the Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organization (KALRO), the National Counterterrorism Centre, the Interior Ministry, the Kenya Airports Authority, the Ministry of Defense, and the National Disaster Management Unit, among others.

KNRA Director General James Keter, who was represented at the meeting by Corporate Services Director Patrick Ataro, said the IPPAS mission provides Kenya with an opportunity to benchmark its nuclear security systems against international best practices.

“We recognise the evolving nature of security risks, and Kenya remains open to strengthening its nuclear security framework,” Mr Keter said, with Mr Ataro calling on relevant stakeholders to prioritise the protection of lives, property and the environment.

The IAEA has conducted at least 108 missions, with Rwanda and Zimbabwe being the latest this side of the global. The IPPAS missions are conducted globally to help countries identify strengths and address gaps in their nuclear security infrastructure. These missions involve assessing physical protection measures, regulatory frameworks, and emergency response capabilities.