Israeli counter terror expertise to Kenya

Israeli counter terror expertise to Kenya

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39061375_mTen Israeli security firms have offered to provide security consultancy, intelligence and counter-terrorism expertise to Kenyan government and private security following a series of deadly raids which culminated in the killing of at least 147 university students two months ago.

According to Kenyan media reports, the private Israeli security firms which specialise in counter-terrorism, cyber-security, VIP protection and intelligence gathering for both military and civilian security purposes were invited to Nairobi by Israeli ambassador to Kenya Yahel Vilan to take part in an expo dubbed ‘Israeli Homeland Security Business Seminar.’

Vilan said the companies chose to exhibit in Kenya because of its strategic position and vulnerability to terrorism on account of its long and porous border with Somalia, which has been the source of all major terror attacks that hit the country since the deployment of the Kenyan Defence Force (KDF) in Somalia to fight the Islamist militia Al Shabaab in October 2011.

According to Defense Web , the ambassador said Israeli security firms have the vast experience Kenya needs to combat terrorism and prevent terror attacks such as the 2013 attack on a Nairobi shopping mall and the recent attack on Garissa university.

“Israel has developed expertise tactically in almost all aspect of homeland security. We do not want to limit ourselves in this. We will engage the Government of Kenya at a later stage,” Vilan said.

The seminar, which was attended by private Kenyan security firms, also focused on other recurrent internal security threats which include cattle rustling, money laundering, tribal conflicts, corruption, political and civil unrest.