Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
05NAIROBI4002
2005-09-26 13:53:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Nairobi
Cable title:  

UK FRUSTRATIONS WITH CT COOPERATION IN KENYA

Tags:  PREL MASS PTER MARR MOPS PGOV KE 
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This record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available.
C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 NAIROBI 004002 

SIPDIS

PARIS AND LONDON FOR AFRICA WATCHERS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/26/2025
TAGS: PREL MASS PTER MARR MOPS PGOV KE
SUBJECT: UK FRUSTRATIONS WITH CT COOPERATION IN KENYA

Classified By: Michael J. Fitzpatrick, reasons 1.4 (b,d)

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 NAIROBI 004002

SIPDIS

PARIS AND LONDON FOR AFRICA WATCHERS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/26/2025
TAGS: PREL MASS PTER MARR MOPS PGOV KE
SUBJECT: UK FRUSTRATIONS WITH CT COOPERATION IN KENYA

Classified By: Michael J. Fitzpatrick, reasons 1.4 (b,d)


1. (C) SUMMARY: British counterparts told Poloffs September
19 they are focusing their counter-terrorism (CT) efforts in
Kenya on border and aviation security and have money to spend
in both arenas. They are, however, frustrated with the
Kenyan government,s lackluster CT performance and also
continue to be hindered by their currently tenuous bilateral
relations. The British are experiencing the same frustrations
as the USG in gaining traction with the Kenyan police, but
they are making headway with the Administrative Police on
some of their border security proposals. END SUMMARY.

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British Continue to Focus on Police, Despite Difficulties
-------------- --------------


2. (C) British Regional Advisory for Counter-Terrorism,
Colonel Rob Andrew briefed Pol/C and Poloff September 19 on
his government,s CT efforts in Kenya. Andrew began by
expressing his frustrations working with the Kenyan Police
Service (KPS). The British High Commission,s police
advisor, who intended to work with the U.S.-sponsored Joint
Terrorism Task Force (JTTF),was sent back to the U.K.
because the JTTF failed to stand up as planned. However,
Andrew has had more success working with individual units
within KPS, particularly the Anti Terrorism Police Unit
(ATPU) and with the separate Administrative Police (AP). The
British plan to work closely with both ATPU and AP to help
create a border security management strategy. In preparation
for such a strategy, Colonel Andrew has been spending weeks
traveling Kenya's remote border regions; he plans to soon
drive the desert tracks which run the length of the entire
Somali border along with AP and possibly some Kenyan military
officials. If so, this would be the first time to our
knowledge that anyone -- including the government -- has done
so in many years.


3. (C) The British have funding for some capacity training
and a MANPAD training class for the AP and the Kenyan
military. Additionally, they have 70,000 Pounds to equip the
AP with radios and 30 thousand Pounds for training with the
equipment. (COMMENT: Before FMF was frozen due to Kenya,s
signing of the Rome Convention without a bilateral Article 98
agreement, KUSLO planned to equip the Kenyan military with
radios. If FMF returns or other funding is found, this is an
area where our two countries can work together to increase
Kenya,s capacity to monitor their borders and respond to
threats and/or disasters. END COMMENT).

-------------- --------------
British Relationship with Kenyan Military Tenuous
-------------- --------------


4. (C) Kenyan media recently reported the GOK is delaying
renewing a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) allowing British
soldiers to train in Kenya. One article claimed British
troops departed Kenya after being denied access to their
training facility. . British Head of Policy Delivery, Alex
Budden, countered media reports, explaining training is still
ongoing, although the soldiers have been somewhat restricted
to certain areas. The MOU, in fact, is renegotiated every
three years. Currently, it is in an extension period until
November, and it could be extended for another three months.
Budden said the new Kenyan military leadership is on board
with extending an MOU, and they are still working out the
details. He speculated that the news reports were planted by
ministers opposed to the UK -- such as former National
Security Minister Chris Murungaru (who not only was stripped
in August of his US visa, but who through his corrupt
dealings now owns significant landholdings near some of the
British training areas.) The British recognize the need to
provide Kenya with some benefit in exchange for training
their soldiers here, and are considering ways to make the
relationship more constructive. Budden and Andrew both note
the renewal is typically a "down-to-the-wire" matter, with
high-level officials flying in from the UK to seal the deal.
That, plus the inevitable dickering over terms and amounts of
recompense, is why the UK now hopes to seal a five-year
renewal instead of just three.


5. (C) COMMENT: The British CT engagement strategy meshes
well with USG plans. In addition to taking the lead on
aviation security in Kenya (British Airways has 10 flights
out of Nairobi weekly),the British can provide necessary
border security training and equipment that compliments our
maritime and other border security programs. Although spikes
in British relations with Kenya continue, they have relations
with some aspects of the police and military that will allow
them to move forward with their security and CT plans. Post
will continue to coordinate CT efforts with British
counterparts to ensure cohesiveness without duplication. END
COMMENT.
BELLAMY