Omamo says insecurity needs ‘daring approach’/FILE
NAIROBI, Kenya, Mar 25 – Defence Cabinet Raychelle Omamo on Wednesday called for a common approach in dealing with numerous security challenges facing the East African region and the continent.
She specifically says terror and issues of radicalisation can only be eliminated through innovative ways by all security players.
She was speaking at the open day for senior security players within the East African region at the International Peace Support Training Centre (IPSTC), in Embakasi.
“The challenges that we have must be encountered through innovative measures and we have to be courageous and daring,” she stated.
The day is meant to provide a platform for capacity building and exchange of experience and practice among the African Union peace and security actors.
Various security skills being undertaken at the centre were displayed in the whole day event that was also attended by senior members of the National Police Service led by Administration Police Deputy Inspector General Samuel Arachi.
“This is to commemorate 14 years of research and training which is aimed at building capacity for regional peace operations by the IPTSC,” Omamo pointed out.
“What started as a national training school has developed to a regional centre that now has a global recognition.”
During the function, Omamo also launched a ‘village’ Closed Circuit Television system that will be used to monitor training activities at the centre.
The centre was established in January 2001 as a pre-deployment training institution affiliated to the Defence staff college.
It was initially known as the Peace Support Training Centre and was primarily concerned with delivering tactical level training to prepare individuals for deployment on peacekeeping missions.
UNDP Country Director Maria Threase on her part said unless the regional governments work on improving the security sector, the development currently being witnessed cannot be sustained.
She said there is need to conduct intensive regional and international peace operations throughout African continent.
“The cost in time, resources and manpower of such operations is enormous and greater efforts are being now placed on conflict mitigation,” she pointed out.
She challenged security institutions like IPSTC, “to continue carrying out extensive research in conflict prevention and management and post conflict recovery.”
Omamo however noted that already IPTSC has developed a comprehensive training and education framework to achieve the goal of reinforcing international responses to complex emergencies.
Kenya is among countries that are involved in peacekeeping missions with the African continent.
Currently, the Kenya Defence Forces is part of AMISOM in Somalia which is countering Al-Shabaab militia who continue to pose a security threat to the country and the region.
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