NAIROBI: The state said it will implement sections of the controversial Security Laws (Amendment) Act that touch on customs operations to combat illicit trade at designated borders.
The new law signed by President Kenyatta a day after its chaotic passage in the National Assembly stipulates setting up of Border Control and Coordination Committee after it inserted a new section in the Kenya Citizenship and Immigration Act 2011.
The new body to be constituted next month will oversee operations of all state agencies at the border points by formulating policies and programmes aimed at monitoring and coordinating their activities.
Kenya Revenue Authority, a key player in its creation and operationalisation, said the government was is final the draft management structure of the eight-member committee.
“We are already developing the working rules and modalities on how to bring the various institutions together,” KRA commissioner general John Njiriani told reporters in Nairobi. “We expect that within February, we should see it working and that should have major benefits for the management of Kenya’s borders.”
The committee will be headed by interior Principal secretary Nancy Juma with her health ministry counterpart and chiefs of the Kenya Revenue Authority, National Police Service, Kenya Ports Authority, Kenya Airports Authority, Immigration department and Kenya Maritime Authority as members.
Njiraini said its establishment and operation will be a major step in combating the growing trade in smuggled goods including harmful ones like guns and ammunition, wildlife products and human trafficking.
“For us, it is very critical because for a long time we have been asking for institutionalisation of coordination mechanisms for border control agencies including customs,” he said after a function to mark this year’s International Customs Day whose theme is ‘co-ordinated border management’.
“No one border agency may be able to provide the assurance that is required … and that is why going forward you will see us (customs department) focusing more on security besides cargo checking and revenue collection.”
