Turkey to help modernise Kenya Police Service

The Turkish National Police will soon start support programs to upgrade the ability of the Kenya Police Service to keep the country safe.

This follows a pact signed by Kenya and Turkey that would see the two forces establish create links that would benefit Kenya.

The arrangement is part of wider commitments on security and defence between the two governments that include closer co-operation on the stabilisation and reconstruction of Somalia.

In addition to sharing of skills between the police forces, Turkey will support upgrading and modernisation of Kenya’s security forces as it tackles threats posed by terrorism.

The MoU on Security Co-operation between the Kenya Police Service and the Turkish National Police is one of the nine agreements signed when the two nations cemented bilateral ties during President Uhuru Kenyatta’s State visit to the country last week.

Most of the agreements were on business but security was a core issue for President Kenyatta and President Abdullah Gul of Turkey.

Prior to signing the bilateral agreements, the two presidents discussed regional security matters.

“We have reached a commitment to work closely on security and defence,” President Kenyatta said, adding that terrorism was a threat to the whole world and must be tackled through a united approach.

PEACE IN SOMALIA

President Gul said his country would partner with Kenya in supporting Somalia. “Turkey is making a big contribution in restoring peace in Somalia and Kenya is also playing a major role and we will work together,” he said.

While Kenya has deployed its military to stabilize southern parts of Somalia, Turkey has been contributing humanitarian aid and rebuilding roads, hospitals and schools. In 2011, Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, accompanied by his family and an entourage consisting of Cabinet Ministers and their families, flew on a Turkish Airlines flight to Mogadishu, becoming the first leader from outside Africa to visit Somalia in 20 years.

Turkish Airlines now flies to Mogadishu on a regular basis.

President Kenyatta expressed his appreciation for Turkey’s role in the search for lasting peace in Somalia.

“Of key importance are the two conferences on Somalia in 2010 and 2012 that Turkey hosted and whose outcomes intensified international momentum to resolve the Somalia conflict,” President Kenyatta said, adding: “Kenya is committed to working closely with like-minded countries to collectively seek the stabilisation and post-conflict reconstruction of Somalia.”

He also called on Turkey to support the repatriation and re-integration of Somali refugees who have lived in Kenya for more than two decades.

“It is necessary that ways be explored for providing basic infrastructure in the form of water and sanitation, roads, health, as well as support for civic administration in Somalia to enable the refugees to settle down quickly,” President Kenyatta concluded.

Foreign Affairs and International Trade Cabinet Secretary Amb. Amina Mohamed who was instrumental in the bilateral negotiations laying the foundations for the agreements, signed the MoU on behalf of Kenya.