Under the auspices of the WCO/JICA (Japan International Cooperation Agency) Joint Project, the WCO visited Mombasa, Kenya on 8-11 July 2019 to work with the Programme Global Shield (PGS) trainers to train/sensitize Customs and other border agencies working at the various southern border stations where a large amount of cargoes go through every day into East Africa.  This is a part of the ongoing efforts of Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) to further enhance its border control capacity to improve safety and security of the people in Kenya. 

KRA, together with the revenue authorities of Burundi, Rwanda, Tanzania and Uganda, participated in the Sub-regional Training-of-Trainer Workshop in East Africa on PGS organized jointly by the WCO and JICA earlier this year and developed a pool of PGS trainers for more sustainable PGS training delivery in Kenya. PGS is a multilateral WCO initiative, which aims at building the capacity of customs administrations to counter the illicit trafficking and diversion of chemicals and other components used by terrorists to manufacture improvised explosive devices (IEDs).

Following the Training-of-Trainer workshop, KRA has been activity delivering training and/or sensitization activities on PGS to secure its borders.  The WCO and JICA agreed to support their efforts and to work with PGS trainers at Mombasa, one of the biggest entry points for East Africa where KRA organized a set of trainings/sensitization activities on PGS.   Together with the WCO experts, PGS trainers introduced the Programme Global Shield and trained/sensitized approximately 80 officials participated from the KRA  on precursor chemicals, Improvised Explosive Devices (IED), detection methods as well as their handling, labelling and storage regulations.

Participants to the trainings/sensitization activities appreciated the information shared. Both the WCO and JICA will continue to support KRA and other revenue authorities in East Africa to further enhance border control capacity.