Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has called for the integration of artificial intelligence and other forms of technology to enhance security in Eastern Africa.
Speaking in Mombasa when he officially opened the Mashariki Cooperation Conference, the DP said that technology is key to sustainably addressing insecurity in the region.
“While more resources are required in the integration of Artificial Intelligence into security operations, we have no option but to invest for better outcomes,” Gachagua said.
"With advancing technology, we must be armed with highly innovative infrastructure for tracing, tracking and monitoring potential threats for early elimination and prevention."
Speaking at the same meeting, National Intelligence Service Director-General Noordin Haji underscored the need for countries in the Eastern Africa bloc to unite in the fight against crime in the region.
Haji said criminal elements have taken advantage of gaps in law enforcement in the region to perpetuate illicit activities.
The country’s top spy called on the region to embrace collective approach in dismantling the vice.
“With integration of our region, we have encountered a multitude of challenges that have exploited the free movement of goods and people to advance illicit activities,” he said.
The Mashariki Cooperation Conference brings together top security and National Intelligence Service chiefs from over 10 States in the Eastern African Region.
Gachagua noted that Artificial intelligence is key to tackling emerging threats, especially in the digital space.
He urged the security chiefs to work towards a common regional strategy in gathering security information.
“Digital spaces have become playgrounds for recruitment and Radicalisation, money laundering and trap points for homicides and other cybercrimes, sadly, as recently witnessed in Kenya,” he said.
The Deputy President affirmed that President William Ruto's administration is ready to support the national security institutions to deliver on their mandate.
He asked the officials to come up with a framework for sharing knowledge and information between and among intelligence bureaus for strategic interventions and mutual benefit.
Gachagua noted that armed conflicts, trafficking in humans especially children, drugs, counterfeit goods, corruption and money laundering, and wildlife trophies, among others, are a threat to development.
“Africa is, without a doubt, the Continent of the 21st Century. But insecurity, if not strategically and decisively tackled, may derail the vision of transforming the lives of our people. I cannot emphasise more, on why Security is key to a better, brighter and successful Africa,” he said.
States represented in the conference include Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda, Burundi, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ethiopia, South Sudan, Somalia, Seychelles, Comoros, Mozambique, Eritrea and Malawi.