Police assure Kenyans of security ahead of AFCON 2027

The National Police Service (NPS) says it has hit the ground running in putting in place adequate security measures ahead of the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).

The tournament will be hosted jointly by Uganda, Kenya and Tanzania. It will be the first time the three countries, or the East African region, are hosting the continental showpiece.

Deputy Inspector General (DIG) of Police Eliud Lagat said the police would leave nothing to chance as it works with every other State agency dealing with different aspects of security to put in place water-tight measures.

The police boss spoke at Vigilance House in Nairobi when he met a team of experts from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), who are in Kenya for a two-day mission to assess the country’s nuclear security preparedness. The experts were accompanied by top officials of the Kenya Nuclear Regulatory Authority (KNRA).

“Police are the first responders when anything suspicious happens. The police and relevant agencies will speak to each other regarding what we must do,” said the DIG, who was accompanied by Senior Assistant Inspector General Peter Ndung’u.

“We are fully preparing for all major public events, including AFCON, which we will be hosting with our neighbours.”

The experts' visit is part of the IAEA’s International Physical Protection Advisory Service (IPPAS), aimed at evaluating Kenya’s existing frameworks and providing recommendations to enhance nuclear security measures. KNRA is hosting the IAEA team led by Tapani Hack and Moustafa Tall.

KNRA Director for Nuclear Security Isaac Mundia and Licensing Deputy Director Michael Atogo stressed the need for a proactive approach to nuclear security, saying stakeholders should remain open to expert recommendations as Kenya adapts to dynamic threats.

“We’re happy to work with the police. Such engagements are key in providing a framework for entities involved in nuclear security to work together," Mundia said.

Earlier, the experts held talks with officials from KNRA, Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH), Kenyatta University Teaching, Research and Referral Hospital (KUTRRH), the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI), the Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organization (KALRO), the National Counterterrorism Centre, the Interior Ministry, the Kenya Airports Authority, the Ministry of Defense, the National Disaster Management Unit among others.

KNRA Director General James Keter said the IPPAS mission will provide an opportunity for Kenya to benchmark its nuclear security systems against international best practices.

“We acknowledge the evolving nature of security risks, and Kenya remains open-minded in strengthening its nuclear security landscape,” Keter said.

The IAEA’s IPPAS missions are conducted globally to help countries identify strengths and gaps in their nuclear security infrastructure.

These missions involve assessing physical protection measures, regulatory frameworks, and emergency response capabilities.