The Kenyan government has intensified surveillance across all Ports of Entry and Exit (PoEs) to strengthen national security, streamline legitimate trade, and curb the smuggling of illegal goods. The move aims to safeguard the country from transnational crimes and reinforce border management efficiency.
According to the Principal Secretary for Internal Security and National Administration, Dr. Raymond Omollo, a recent multi-agency operation made a major breakthrough after intercepting 1,024 kilograms of methamphetamine worth KSh8.2 billion aboard a stateless vessel in the Indian Ocean. The vessel, named Igor, had long been under the watch of international authorities for suspected narcotics trafficking and was seized with six Iranian crew members on board.
Speaking during the 64th meeting of the Border Control and Operations Coordination Committee (BCOCC) in Mombasa, Dr. Omollo said the forum reviewed progress in strengthening land and sea border security. The committee also assessed challenges facing different agencies and evaluated ongoing interventions to improve coordination and enforcement.
Committee members conducted field visits to several border points in the Coast region, including the Joint Operations Centre at the Port of Mombasa. Dr. Omollo noted that trade volumes through the port have grown significantly, supported by efficiency measures implemented by the Kenya Ports Authority (KPA). Between January and September 2025, Mombasa Port handled 32.86 million metric tons of cargo, representing a 9.6 percent growth compared to the same period last year.
The PS commended the establishment of the BCOCC, noting that it has enhanced inter-agency collaboration among government bodies with border mandates that previously worked independently. “The seizure of the vessel at sea demonstrates what we can achieve through effective coordination under the multi-agency framework,” he emphasized.
Dr. Omollo acknowledged that several border points, particularly those along the Somalia and Ethiopia frontiers, require upgrades to meet operational standards. He also revealed that the government is fast-tracking the completion of the Suam One-Stop Border Point to improve monitoring of cross-border movements between Kenya and Uganda.
On public health, Dr. Omollo assured citizens that health surveillance at PoEs remains heightened to prevent potential disease outbreaks such as Mpox. He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to maintaining secure, efficient, and well-coordinated border operations—an essential pillar for Kenya’s national security, trade facilitation, and economic growth.
