Kenya’s chief justice urges regional approach to tackle terrorism

Kenya’s Chief Justice Willy Mutunga has called for a regional approach in order to combat terrorism as terror attacks have posed serious threat to regional and international peace and security. Mutunga made the remarks at a security forum in Nairobi late Tuesday. “The region posses the requisite knowledge and expertise to develop appropriate mechanisms to assist in the effective implementation of counter terrorism strategies,” Mutunga said during the Inter Governmental Authority on Development (IGAD) workshop on counter terrorism. The conference brought participants from the security and judicial sector to discuss effective counter terrorism strategies. Some of the IGAD partner states include Kenya, Uganda, Somalia, Djibouti, Eritrea and Sudan. He said the citizens of the horn of Africa region know that terror incidents pose mortal danger to the region’s efforts to implement sustainable development, peace and prosperity. “The recent terror attacks in Kenya and Somalia have shown that the region is vulnerable to significant terror threats from Al- Shabaab as well as other terror groups,” Mutunga said. He noted that the global and regional networks of terrorism are wide and complex. “These strategies must conform to the principles of rule of law because the fight against terrorism requires the support of all citizens,” he said. Mutunga, who is also the President of the Supreme Court, said citizens must be able to tell the difference between state actions and those of terrorists.He noted that Kenya’s judicial system is committed to the fight against terrorism. “Our constitution calls for dialogue and consultations on matters of national interest,” he added. “To effectively respond to terrorism threats, it is also critical that we continue building and enhancing the capacity of our security and criminal justice systems,” Mutunga said.

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Kenya’s chief justice urges regional approach to tackle terrorism