ADVERT 
ADVERTPrime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi’s warning on evolving terrorism should be treated as a call for Kenya to update how it defines national security. Protecting the country today requires more than guarding security installations and responding after an attack; it requires sustained protection of the systems, public spaces and institutions that enable ordinary life, public services and economic activity to continue.
Kenya’s infrastructure is now inseparable from its security. Energy installations, telecommunications networks, transport corridors, water systems, health facilities, ports, airports and digital services support the delivery of essential services and connect the country to the region and the wider world. Any serious disruption to these systems can affect livelihoods, public confidence, public safety and the ability of the State to serve its people.
The threat environment has changed. Terrorist groups and organised criminal networks do not need to target only traditional security facilities to create fear and instability. They can seek weaknesses in communication installations, transport services, digital platforms and crowded public areas, knowing that interruption of essential services can have immediate consequences for communities, businesses and government institutions. The reported damage to a communication mast in Dadaab, Garissa County, in July illustrated the vulnerability of facilities that many citizens depend on for communication and access to services.
This demands a broader national understanding of protective security. A police presence at a gate, while necessary, is not enough. Infrastructure protection must include assessing risks before they become incidents, ensuring systems have workable safety procedures, training personnel, strengthening coordination among agencies and keeping essential services operating when a disruption occurs. The country must regard the human resources, information systems, equipment and operating procedures behind an asset as part of that asset’s security.
The importance of this approach becomes clearer as Kenya moves towards the 2027 General Election. Political campaigns bring large gatherings, intense movement of people and heightened public attention across the country. These are central features of democratic participation, and they must not become opportunities for those seeking to cause harm, spread panic or undermine confidence in democratic processes.
ADVERTThe responsibility for safe political gatherings must be shared. Political leaders should organise rallies responsibly, avoid language that heightens tension and work with security agencies on crowd management. Law enforcement officers must provide professional, impartial and well planned protection. Citizens must also remain alert, report suspicious activity and refuse to allow violence or intimidation to be normalised in public life. Security at political events cannot be achieved through force alone; it also depends on leadership, discipline and public cooperation.
Mudavadi is right to stress the need to move from reaction to prevention. Kenya has often demonstrated its capacity to respond when a threat emerges, but prevention is always the better public interest. It reduces harm, preserves services and reassures citizens that institutions are prepared. The five priorities he proposed, anticipation, readiness, mitigation, response and recovery, provide a sensible basis for turning security policy into practical action.
Anticipation means recognising risks early through intelligence, community reporting, technical monitoring and information sharing across institutions. Readiness means that agencies and operators of key facilities have clear plans, trained teams and tested procedures. Mitigation means addressing known weaknesses before they are exploited. Response means acting quickly and in a coordinated way when an incident occurs. Recovery means restoring services, supporting affected people and learning from failures so that the same weakness is not left unaddressed.
Private companies have an important role in this work. A major share of the country’s communications, financial, transport, energy and digital systems is owned or operated by private entities. Government agencies cannot protect these systems effectively without structured partnerships with the businesses that manage them each day. Companies must invest in security planning, employee awareness, cybersecurity, reporting systems and business continuity arrangements. In turn, the State must provide clear guidance, timely intelligence where appropriate and fair regulatory standards.
Cybersecurity deserves special attention. Kenya’s public and private services increasingly depend on digital platforms, data networks and automated systems. A cyberattack can disrupt services without an attacker approaching a physical facility. This creates a need for stronger protection of networks, software, data and personnel who manage essential systems. The security of a power facility, hospital, airport or financial service now includes the security of its digital operations.
The proposed legal framework for registering and disclosing foreign agents, lobbyists and foreign funded activities should also be approached as a matter of transparency and sovereignty. Kenya benefits from international partnerships, investment, humanitarian cooperation and diplomatic engagement. These relationships should continue without unnecessary suspicion or hostility. However, the public has a legitimate interest in knowing when external actors seek to influence national decisions, public policy, political processes or strategic sectors. A properly designed framework can strengthen accountability while preserving lawful cooperation.
Such a law must be implemented carefully. It should not be used to suppress civil society, silence legitimate advocacy or discourage development partners from supporting valuable programmes. Its purpose should be disclosure, accountability and protection of national interests. Clear definitions, transparent procedures, independent oversight and respect for constitutional rights will be essential if the framework is to earn public confidence.
The same balance is needed in dealing with organised criminal groups. Kenya must take seriously the possibility that criminal networks can acquire greater capacity, wider influence and more violent methods. Groups that terrorise communities, intimidate public officials, attack strategic facilities or weaken institutions create a national security concern that goes beyond ordinary law enforcement. But the response must remain guided by the rule of law, credible investigations and fair prosecution. Security measures lose legitimacy when they ignore due process.
Kenya’s position as a regional transport, business, diplomatic and humanitarian centre increases both its opportunities and its responsibilities. The Port of Mombasa, aviation facilities, transport links, communications networks and financial systems serve interests beyond Kenya’s borders. Their disruption can affect neighbouring countries, trade routes and regional stability. This makes regional cooperation a practical necessity rather than a diplomatic option.
The country should therefore deepen intelligence sharing and joint preparedness with neighbouring states and regional institutions. Terrorism, cybercrime, illicit financing and organised criminal activity do not stop at borders. A national response that is not supported by regional coordination will leave gaps that hostile actors can exploit. Kenya should continue to advocate common standards for protecting shared infrastructure and public spaces.
Ultimately, the security of critical infrastructure is about protecting people. A safe communication network allows families, businesses and emergency services to remain connected. A secure transport system enables workers, students and goods to move. Reliable energy, health and digital services sustain communities and support national development. Protecting these systems must become a permanent national priority, not an issue raised only after an attack or disruption.
Kenya has the legal institutions, professional expertise and public interest needed to build stronger protective security. What is required is consistent implementation, adequate investment, responsible leadership and a genuine partnership between government, business and citizens. The country cannot wait for a major crisis to discover the cost of neglecting the systems on which national life depends.
