We will help Kenya secure its customs borders, Ranneberger

CUSTOMS SECURITY

JANUARY 14,20190

BY EUGENE OMILO

US ambassador Michael Ranneberger  has said the US government will continue supporting  Kenya to improve security at its customs borders through technical programmes granted to customs  officers.

Rannerberger said the grants ansd support granted to Kenya was as a result of strong ties between the two countries and Kenya’s commmitment to ensure security of cargo to prevent entry of harmful substances.

Rannerberger was speaking yesterday at the Kenya Ports Authority during the handing over ceremony of K 9 sniffer dogs   to the Kenya Revenue Authority.

The specially trained dogs ,named Jive,Olga and Bienne will be used to inspect cargo at the port   with help from handlers from the Customs depatment .

KRA  Commissioner  General Michael Waweru the US government has given Kenya technical assistance and suppport for capacity building under the auspices of the World Customs Organisation’s SAFE Framework of Standards.    

He said KRA officers have benefited from various seminars facilitated by US subject  matter experts  including Esssential legal Autghorities, Weapons of Mass destruction and the UN Eresolution 1540 which he described as beneficial to KRA officers.

In addition,Waweru said  KRA benefited from detection equipment donated by the US government to enable customs officers detect fire arms smuggling,weapons of mass destruction and related materials.

He said the K9s will play an intergral part in supporting Customs operations. 

Earlier  Port stakeholders signed the  Megaports Initiative agreement   in a mission to secure maritime trade from all forms of threats especially terrorism and piracy.

KPA Managing Director James Mulewa said the agreement has made the port of Mombasa the first port in the sub region to be included in the Megaports programme.

Others who witnessed the signing ceremony included the CEO of the Radiation Protection board Joel Kamande,Commissioner of Customs Wambui Namu,Diretor General of Kenya Maritime Authority Nancy Karigithu, the chairman of KRA’s board of directors Lenny Mwangola   and members of the Megaports Initiative team from the US embassy.

ENDS…