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Agenda Item 111: "Measures to Eliminate International Terrorism" During the 73rd Session of the United Nations General Assembly

Wednesday, 03 October 2018
Presenter: 
Amb. Thomas B. Amolo
Location: 
New York

Mr. Chairman,

I warmly congratulate you and the members of your Bureau on your election. Merci beaucoup, Monsieur le Président. Kenya associates itself with the statements delivered by the distinguished representatives of the Islamic Republic of Iran on behalf of the Non-Aligned Movement, and of The Gambia, on behalf of the African Group.  We thank the Secretary General for convening the United Nations High-Level Conference on Counter-Terrorism on mobilizing international cooperation to combat the mutating threat of terrorism that took place on June 28-29 this year.  New viable and sustainable new partnerships were formed.

We know that due to the complex and transnational nature of the financing and planning of acts of terror, no single nation can eliminate terrorism on its own. A weak link in the chain of capacity and cooperation, weakens us all and makes us all equally vulnerable. One nation’s inability to effectively address any new threat or challenge is multiplied tenfold in a snowball effect. This considerably weakens the international counterterrorism regime, as well as cooperation in the criminal justice system. Eliminating terrorism requires extensive investments in technology, capacity building, and sharing of intelligence. We can only achieve this end state with robust cooperation and evolution of well-structured institutional mechanisms.

Mr. Chairman,

Kenya has suffered brutal repeated attacks by the Somalia-based Al-Shabaab terrorist group for years. The negative impact of these have been most felt on infrastructure, physical and human capital, productivity and economic growth.  Sadly, the Westgate terrorist attack in Nairobi hardly 5 years ago, was planned in large part at Dabaab Refugee Camp opening a new front in the mutating war against terror.  Furthermore, terrorist attacks and violent extremism have led to a reallocation of resources from growth-enhancing investment to spending designed to boost national security. It is for this reason that enhancing regional and international cooperation is critical for our security.

Mr. Chairman,

Kenya has prioritized the development of counter terrorism policies and strategies and has enhanced efforts to counter the financing of terrorism and extremism. To this end, Kenya supports the efforts of the United Nations Office of Counter Terrorism (OCT) to establish a Global network of counter terrorism centres to address new terrorism developments, share good counter-terrorism capacity-building practices and experiences and identify new opportunities for collaboration.  Replicate good practices.  No need to reinvent the wheel.

Kenya has ratified and domesticated all International conventions against transnational organized crime including the relevant protocols on terrorism and associated crimes such as money laundering, drugs trafficking, human trafficking and corruption and is implementing Security Council Resolutions on fighting terrorism.  In 2014 through the Security Laws Amendment Act Kenya amended all its security laws to strengthen Kenya’s anti-terror legislative framework and established agencies to deal specially with the terror threat.  This also led to the establishment of the anti-terrorism police unit, a bomb disposal unit and a cyber forensics investigative unit. Kenya’s Defence Forces were brought on board. Currently, all security agencies have the constitutional and legislative mandate to take counter-terrorism measures to safeguard national security.

Mr. Chairman,

Kenya has domesticated the UN Global Strategy and the Plan of Action on Preventing Violent Extremism through its National Strategy to Counter Violent Extremism (NSCVE). The National Counterterrorism Centre has been revamped to coordinate efforts against radicalization and extremism with much success. The Centre also has a legal coordinating mandate for counter terrorism, public engagement on CT issues; designing and coordinating national counter- and de-radicalisation strategies as well as training and capacity building. Kenya has also adopted the “all of government” and “all of society” approach to preventing and countering terrorism and we are currently reviewing our counter terrorism strategy to align it with County or regional Governments’ action Plans on countering terrorism.  This will assist Kenya to better detect early signs of radicalization and thwart terrorist plots by strengthening community policing, involving women and youth in peace and security and creating community awareness.

Mr. Chairman,

In an effort to deepen the existing strong cooperation with the United Nations agencies on counter-terrorism, Kenya hosted a joint visit by the heads of UN Office of Counter Terrorism (OCT) and Counter Terrorism Committee Executive Directorate (CTED), Mr. Vladimir Voronkov and Ms. Michèle Coninsx in July 2018 to explore mutual priorities.  The government reaffirmed its readiness to work with the UN agencies in areas of border management including aviation and maritime security, support to returnees, capacity building for security forces, women empowerment in countering/preventing violent terrorism; vocational training for youth, strategic communication to counter narratives and support to victims.

Mr. Chairman,

Kenya has forged strong regional law enforcement and judicial cooperation partnerships within the East African Community, the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) and the Great Lakes Region.We support the formulation of regional NSCVE strategies to address crosscutting push and pull factors. Kenya supports international judicial and law enforcement cooperation including mutual legal assistance, extradition, transfer of prisoners, transfer of proceedings in terrorism and other criminal matters. We have forged important bilateral partnerships against terrorism with key member states, particularly on building our counterterrorism capacities.

We have remained a frontline state in the fight against terrorism in Africa and will continue to contribute to International counterterrorism efforts. We urge the international community to continue supporting AMISOM's efforts through adequate and predictable financing because even though Somalia is relatively stable, the war against Al Shabaab terrorism is yet to be concluded.  We are greatly encouraged that repeated affronts on the Rules Based International System have not dampened the momentum and to address the outstanding legal issues in the draft Convention.  We are hopeful of its successful conclusion.

Mr. Chairman,

In conclusion, as the threat from terrorism continues to mutate, we need to adapt and learn lessons from what works and what does not. The need to strengthen the capacities of counter-terrorism structures and institutions and building the resilience and cohesion of our societies cannot be gainsaid. Kenya will remain committed to the balanced implementation of the UN Global Counterterrorism Strategy and other international protocols against terrorism.

Shukraan Sayyid Rais.