Kenya Nuclear Regulatory Authority Director General James Keter (right) and Government Chemist William Munywoki arrive for a security meeting in Nairobi on February 27, 2025/HANDOUT
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multi-agency forum is deliberating on a national action plan aimed at
bolstering the country’s security against potential threats.
The discussions, which kicked off in Nairobi on Thursday, seek to mitigate risks related to Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear (CBRN) hazards, with an emphasis on crisis management to safeguard the public, property, and environment.
Participants from key agencies, such as the Kenya Nuclear Regulatory Authority (KNRA), Government Chemist, Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI), and ministries of Interior and Foreign Affairs, highlighted the need for sustained efforts to enhance Kenya’s preparedness.
The two-day forum will explore capacity building among state agencies, risk mitigation strategies, regional cooperation, policy and legal frameworks, as well as advancements in technology and innovation for effective threat detection and response.
KNRA Director General James Keter, who opened the meeting, said that in Eastern and Central Africa, there had been concerted efforts to strengthen collaborations and interventions, including the establishment of the European Union-funded CBRN Centers of Excellence (CoE) dedicated to enhancing response capabilities among countries.
Mr Keter said, "Because CBRN risks are unpredictable and ever-evolving as technology advances, we must endeavor to increase knowledge and understanding among response agencies. It’s key that as we set our priorities right for 2025.”
Government Chemist William Munywoki said the meeting will, among other things, seek consensus on a roadmap for 2025 and a security action plan for Kenya, bearing in mind past experiences on CBRN issues, including biosafety and biosecurity aspects.
“We have a draft that we began working on in 2022. We hope to make decisions that will guide policymakers on coordination and cooperation in stemming CBRN risks. We also have a tool being developed to help in risk assessment,” Mr Munywoki said.
At the same time, Mr Keter called on the forum to support efforts to combat false information and conspiracy theories, while ensure top-notch training for law enforcement and state security. “CBRN disinformation can lead to confusion and mistrust and jeopardise public health response in cases of emergency,” he added.
The EU CBRN Centres of Excellence (CoE) are aimed at strengthening national and regional capacities to prevent, detect, and respond to risks related to CBRN threats. These threats, according to experts, may arise from accidents, criminal activities or terrorism.
The meeting, organised by the Government Chemist and the United Nations Interregional Crime and Justice Research Institute (Unicri), came as the world continues to grapple with CBRN risks and associated challenges, with countries in Southern and Eastern Africa seeking to work together in confronting cross-border threats.
The talks continue amid efforts to develop a toolkit that will harmonise CBRN approaches and responses at national, regional and global levels. Last week, Kenya hosted a meeting of secretariat heads of EU CBRN centres from 28 countries for deliberations on their 2025 roadmap.
