Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons
official Taeeon Kim and Interior PS Raymond Omollo at a chemical weapons
workshop in Nairobi
Kenya has reaffirmed its commitment to the goal of having a world free of chemical weapons.
Addressing Know Your Customer for Chemical Safety Workshop in Nairobi, Interior PS Raymond Omollo said Kenya condemns the use of chemical weapons by any state, individual, or organisation under any circumstances.
He said Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) unites all its state parties in the noble objective
“Kenya underscores its importance of upholding is credibility and integrity as the most comprehensive multilateral agreement banning chemical weapons,” the PS added.
The Know Your Customer for Chemical Safety Workshop brought together experts from across the world to develop guidelines aimed at strengthening chemical safety and security.
Organised with support from the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW), the workshop addressed the increasing risks associated with the production, transportation, and storage of dual-use chemicals—substances that can be used for both legitimate and harmful purposes.
With participants from Brazil, Chile, Costa Rica, Croatia, Germany, Malaysia, Nigeria, Pakistan, the Philippines, South Africa, the UK, and Kenya, the discussions focused on enhancing Know Your Customer (KYC) protocols to prevent illicit access to toxic industrial chemicals, particularly by terrorist groups and non-state actors.
Omollo was Kenya was pleased to welcome experts from Brazil, Chile, Costa Rica, Croatia, Germany, Malaysia, Nigeria, Pakistan, the Philippines, South Africa, and the United Kingdom to collaborate on developing Know Your Customer (KYC) guidelines for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons.
“Proper chemical management throughout the supply chain is paramount to reducing risks associated with chemical weapons. Strong border controls, technology and presence of multi-agency state actors, helps ensure legitimate trade of industrial chemicals,” he stated.
The KYC initiative is central to promoting the peaceful uses of chemistry while preventing the re-emergence of chemical weapons and the illicit use of chemicals by malicious actors, including terrorist groups.
KYC is a critical pillar in the effective implementation of the Chemical Weapons Convention.
It is central in promoting peaceful use of chemistry while preventing the emergence of chemical weapons and the illicit use of dual use of chemical by malicious characters including terrorist groups.