NAIROBI: Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) Commissioner General John Njiraini says the committee will fill gaps that may provide opportunities that get exploited by terrorists and smugglers.
Njiraini says the committee compromises heads of key institutions that include KRA, National Police Service, Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) Ministry of Health, Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS), Immigration department, Kenya Airports Authority (KAA) among others.
Other agencies include the Kenya Maritime Authority, Kenya Plant Health Inspectorate, Ministry of Interior and National Coordination and National Intelligence Service.
“No one border agency may be able to provide the assurance that is required because the control of people for example is the responsibility of the Immigration Department, the interdiction of counterfeits is the role of the Anti Counterfeit Agency, the idea is to bring all these agencies together so that we have one coordinated and coherent approach to securing our boarders,” he said.
He says the new structure will be a one stop shop operation at all entry and exit points and will enhance risk management, reduce time wastage and cut costs through information sharing between the agencies.
“We expect the operations of the new committee to result in benefits to Kenyans, through more effective service delivery, non duplication of processes enhanced risk management with fewer but targeted interventions, “he added.
He said the committee will be in operational by February 2015.Njiraini was speaking on Monday during the celebrations of the International Customs Day marked every year to recognise the role customs authorities play in facilitating global trade.
