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Statement on Agenda Item 109 and 110: “Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice & International Drug Control

Thursday, 04 October 2018
Presenter: 
Amb. Lazarus Amayo, Permanent Representative of Kenya to the United Nations
Location: 
New York

Mr. Chairman,

I thank you for giving me the floor. Kenya aligns itself with the statement delivered by the distinguished representative of Morocco on behalf of the African Group.

Kenya reaffirms its commitment to the implementation of the provisions of the three international drug control conventions that form the basis of the world drug control strategy and the recommendations of the outcome document of the 30th Special Session of the General Assembly on the World drug problem. We are determined to prevent the abuse, production, manufacturing and trafficking and have deployed appropriate national legislation to curb the malaise.

Transnational criminal networks of organized crime and other have misused illegal drugs proceeds posing challenges to the achievement of Kenya’s Agenda 2030 for Sustainable Development. Kenya’s National Action Plan incorporates robust international cooperation as a viable solution in integrating prevention, detection, investigation and neutralisation of the vice.

Mr. Chairman,

We have invested heavily in our criminal justice system to ensure that it adequately responds to deterring all forms of organized crime as well as security challenges posed by radicalisation, violent extremism and threat of acts of terrorism.

Other challenges include:-

The increase in illicit drugs that enter the region through the Indian Ocean for trans-shipment around the world;

The Proliferation of small and light weapons in the volatile horn region which empower criminals activity;

The regions vast, sparsely populated and porous borders and inadequate capacity for border security creates opportunity for terrorists and organized crime syndicates to thrive;

Frail international collaborative efforts for tracing the money trail that finance these activities.

Mr. Chairman,

Kenya has taken the following steps to implement the country’s transnational organized crime and drug control strategy and policy,

Revised its Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act to deal with contemporary and emerging threats;

Invested in regional mechanisms towards stemming the proliferation of small arms and light weapons;

Established cooperation mechanisms with foreign national agencies for exchange of information, and investigation into suspected money laundering activities;

Enacted the Proceeds of Crime and Anti Money Laundering legislation which established the Financial Reporting Centre (FRC) to identify the proceeds of crime, money laundering and financing of terrorism.

The Counter-Trafficking in Persons Act and set up an advisory Committee to eliminate trafficking in persons, especially women and children among other legal frameworks.

Mr. Chairman,

We urge all Member States to continue leveraging on opportunities and institutions to rump up this unrelenting war and collaborate in building capacity for international cooperation for sharing intelligence, data and training within criminal justice systems to enhance national capabilities.

I thank you.