Mombasa: The government has intensified surveillance at all Ports of Entry and Exit (PoEs) to enhance security, streamline trade, and curb the smuggling of illegal goods. The Principal Secretary (PS) for Internal Security and National Administration, Dr. Raymond Omollo, said a recent multi-agency operation made a major breakthrough after intercepting 1,024 kilograms of methamphetamine worth Sh8.2 billion aboard a stateless vessel in the Indian Ocean.
According to Kenya News Agency, the vessel, christened Igor, had long been on the radar of international authorities for suspected narcotics trafficking in the Western Indian Ocean. It was seized with six Iranian crew members on board. Dr. Omollo spoke in Mombasa during the 64th meeting of the Border Control and Operations Coordination Committee (BCOCC), which deliberated on strengthening border security across land and sea, assessing challenges, and reviewing interventions undertaken so far.
The committee conducted field visits to several border points in the Coast region, including the Joint Operations Centre at the Port of Mombasa. ‘What is notable is the significant increase in the volume of trade, as demonstrated by the growing number of containers arriving at the port,’ said the PS. He noted that the Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) has implemented several efficiency measures that have resulted in higher cargo throughput.
Between January and September 2025, the Port of Mombasa handled 32.86 million metric tons of total cargo, up from 29.97 million metric tons over the same period last year. The 2.8 million metric ton increase represents a 9.6 percent growth in container traffic, with the port handling 1.55 million Twenty-Foot Equivalent Units (TEUs) compared to 1.46 million TEUs in 2024.
Dr. Omollo lauded the formation of the BCOCC, saying it promotes coordination among government agencies with border mandates that previously operated in isolation. ‘If you look at recent interventions under this multi-agency approach, the seizure of the vessel at sea is a clear example of what effective collaboration can achieve,’ he stated.
The BCOCC, which meets monthly, formulates policies and programs for the management and control of PoEs on land, sea, and air. It also facilitates information exchange among agencies responsible for border management and security. Each PoE has a Border Management Committee that not only coordinates inter-agency operations but also engages with partner states to enhance trade and streamline the movement of people.
The PS acknowledged that several border points still require upgrades to meet operational standards, citing those along the Somalia and Ethiopia frontiers. He also revealed that the government is expediting the completion of the Suam One-Stop Border Point, which has faced delays, to strengthen monitoring of cross-border movements between Kenya and Uganda.
‘Our borders remain porous, making them attractive routes for illicit trade and unauthorized movement,’ Dr. Omollo said. ‘We are determined to fast-track the completion of all pending border facilities to ensure we have full visibility of goods and individuals entering and leaving the country.’
On health surveillance, Dr. Omollo assured Kenyans that Public Health Officers stationed at PoEs are on high alert to manage potential disease outbreaks such as Mpox through vaccination drives and public awareness campaigns. He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to maintaining secure, efficient, and well-coordinated border operations as a cornerstone for national security and economic growth.