Interior Principal Secretary Raymond Omollo has called on the government to strengthen the role of border communities by making them active partners in countering terrorism.

Speaking during the opening of the Fourth Nairobi Caucus on Border Security and Counterterrorism, Omollo said residents living along borders should not remain passive observers but should instead become central players in early warning systems through civic education and livelihood support.

He emphasized that security must go hand in hand with development, turning border regions into areas of prosperity rather than zones of vulnerability.

“Borderlands should benefit from inclusive growth, access to services, and participatory governance. This approach reduces risks and weakens extremist recruitment,” he said.

Omollo explained the importance of stronger cross-border cooperation, proposing joint patrols, task forces, and harmonized response protocols with neighboring countries.

He warned that terrorist groups are evolving rapidly, relying on advanced technology and criminal networks to expand their activities.

Citing 2024 data, Omollo revealed that over 80% of violent extremist deaths in Africa occurred near border areas, highlighting weaknesses in surveillance and coordination.

He urged African states to enhance intelligence-sharing, develop interoperable platforms, and integrate insights from border communities into national threat assessments.

“Border-related intelligence must be actionable and anticipatory,” he said, stressing that security agencies must adopt modern tools such as drones, biometric systems, and AI-powered technologies while ensuring accountability and well-trained officers.

The Nairobi Caucus, which now includes more than 15 African countries with the participation of West African states for the first time, seeks to strengthen African-led solutions to terrorism.

The forum comes at a time of rising attacks in West Africa and growing maritime trafficking in the Indian Ocean.

The meeting, supported by the European Union, also brought together officials from the National Counter Terrorism Centre led by Director General Kibiego Kigen, who underlined the need for a whole-of-society approach.

He said effective counterterrorism requires partnerships, modern infrastructure, and stronger intelligence cooperation.