G-8 COUNTER-TERRORISM COORDINATION IN KENYA

C O N F I D E N T I A L NAIROBI 004636

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/08/2025
TAGS: PTER ASEC PGOV EAID KE
SUBJECT: G-8 COUNTER-TERRORISM COORDINATION IN KENYA

REF: A. A) NAIROBI 1698

B. B) NAIROBI 4002

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


1. (C) SUMMARY: The 5th session of the &Nairobi G-8
Counter Terrorist Action Group8 met November 8 to discuss
bialteral counter-terrorism assistance programs in Kenya and
to better coordinate programs so as not to duplicate efforts.
Unlike past sessions, in which the U.S. and U.K. were the
only ones actively engaged on CT issues, other
representatives presented ambitious CT engagement programs.
END SUMMARY.


2. (C) Representatives from the British, German, Dutch,
Spanish, Russian, French, Canadian, Japanese and Danish
missions attended the 5th session of the Nairobi G8 (plus)
Counter Terrorist Action Group (CTAG) on November 8.
Representatives from UNDP and UNODC also attended in an
effort to expand the group beyond the G8 to incorporate other
players actively engaged in local counter-terrorism efforts.
The U.K., as CTAG chair, opened the session with an overview
of the current threat, which was similar to their assessment
at the previous CTAG in April (Ref A). They assessed the
threat from Al-Qai,da sponsored cells still exists, with
between 12 and 15 highly professional AQ terrorists at large
in the region. They added there is an emerging threat from
al-Itihaad al-Islaami (AIAI),which provides finance,
materials and training to terrorists capable of mounting
attacks inside Kenya.

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UNDP Offers Ambitious CT Package
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3. (C) In a welcomed break from past CTAG sessions, the
meeting was not dominated solely by U.S. and U.K. efforts.
United Nations Development Programme (UNDP),in cooperation
with the Danish aid agency, DANIDA, presented an action plan
titled &Strengthening counter-terrorism capacity for a safer
Kenya.8 The project, with a $1.2 million budget, aims to
enhance Kenya,s CT capacity by working with the National
Counter-Terrorism Center (NCTC). They aim to achieve the
following outputs: improved legislation related to
counter-terrorism; strengthened counter-terrorism capacity
respectful of civil liberties and human rights; enhanced
awareness among the general public; and, enhanced religious
tolerance and respect for cultural diversity. Planned
activities include assistance to finalization of
anti-terrorism and anti-money laundering legislation,
training workshops for the judiciary and security sectors,
and sensitization and awareness-raising workshops. UNDP
consulted Post before finalizing plans, and they will
continue to work closely with CTAG partners on this project.

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Gaps in CT Strategies in Kenya
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4. (C) Combating terrorist financing was identified as a
major gap in Kenya,s CT efforts. Only the U.S., UNODC, the
Commonwealth and the IMF are looking into money laundering
issues in Kenya. UNODC has offered Kenya assistance in this
field, but they have yet to receive a positive response from
the GOK. UNODC does provide Kenya some assistance, such as
computer-based training for law enforcement, to stem money
laundering and is trying to promote mechanisms to combat
terrorist financing. Other gaps in Kenya,s CT efforts
identified included the absence of an actual national CT
strategy, lack of CT legislation, and the absence of an
effective prosecution and investigative organization.

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U.S. and U.K. Still Take the Lead
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5. (C) Apart from the UNDP plan, only the U.S. and U.K. have
significant CT programs in Kenya. Since the last session in
April (Ref A),the British have completed a counter-MANPAD
training course at the main airport. The British CT
representative, Colonel Rob Andrew, recently completed a
comprehensive border security survey of the 800 km.
Kenya-Somalia border, which he is developing into a border
security management program. The British are planning to host
a border security management seminar for senior Kenyan
officials in late February, in close coordination with this
Embassy. Andrew explained that, because of their
unsuccessful attempts at working with the Kenyan Police, the
U.K. has refocused its CT efforts towards U.K. interest,
particularly aviation security, rather than towards issues in
Kenya,s strategic interest (Ref B).

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Frustrations with GOK Resistance
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6. (C) Frustration with the GOK and Kenya,s lack of
interest in CT issues was expressed by several CTAG members.
The Dutch representative pointed out that donors seem to have
enough money, advice, programs and people in place, but Kenya
does not seem to want this help. He asked why Kenya is so
resistant and what is the point of continuing with these
programs if the Kenyans will not succeed in implementing
them. His question echoed many of the frustrations we have
faced lately. UK rep Andrew offered that those in power in
the GOK must see it in their interest to become involved in
any issue, and most Kenyans still do not see terrorism as a
Kenyan problem. However, all agreed we must continue to work
toward putting mechanisms in place to combat terrorism with
the hope that when the GOK is ready to accept the problem and
implement these mechanisms, a structure will exist within
which to work.

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Coordinating CT Efforts
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7. (C) The meeting wrapped up with an agreement to push the
GOK to see the CT threat. The key participants, the U.K.,
U.S., DANIDA, UNDP agreed to meet more regularly to continue
to coordinate efforts, with an invitation to others who want
to be more involved. UNDP offered to host future meetings to
ensure continued cooperation on CT strategy.


8. (C) COMMENT: This meeting was far more productive than
the previous CTAG, as the U.S. and U.K. were not the only
participants with anything to offer. UNDP,s program is
ambitious, but it covers important areas of CT strategy that
should not be handled by us alone. Even Denmark contributed,
explaining their &soft CT program8 of working with NGOs on
the Coast to advocate for alternative ways to counter
marginalization and to promote inter-faith dialogue. We
continue to work closely with the British to ensure our CT
programs complement each other, and it appears we have found
new partners with UNDP and DANIDA. END COMMENT.
BELLAMY