The Mt Kenya Times 
Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi
Mudavadi’s warning on evolving terrorism demands a fundamental rethink of what national security actually means
By James Kilonzo Bwire
Prime Cabinet Secretary and Cabinet Secretary for Foreign and Diaspora Affairs Musalia Mudavadi’s warning on evolving terrorism, delivered yesterday at the Fifth Nairobi Caucus on Protecting Critical Infrastructure Systems and Public Spaces, 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 no longer 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 disrupting essential services carries immediate consequences for communities, businesses and government institutions. The Al-Shabaab attack on a telecommunications mast in Dadaab, Garissa County, in July illustrated just how exposed facilities that millions depend on every day can be.
This demands a broader national understanding of protective security. A police presence at a gate, while necessary, is not sufficient. 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 running when disruption occurs. The country must regard the human resources, information systems, equipment and operating procedures behind an asset as integral to 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.
The 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 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 depends equally on leadership, discipline and public cooperation.
Mudavadi is right to stress the shift from reaction to prevention. Kenya has often demonstrated its capacity to respond when a threat emerges, but prevention is always the stronger 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 sound basis for translating security policy into practical action.
Anticipation means recognising risks early through intelligence, community reporting, technical monitoring and information sharing across institutions. Readiness means agencies and operators of key facilities have clear plans, trained teams and tested procedures. Mitigation means addressing known vulnerabilities before they are exploited. Response means acting quickly and in a coordinated manner when an incident occurs. Recovery means restoring services, supporting affected communities and learning from failures so that the same weakness is not left unaddressed.
Private companies have an important role in this work. A significant share of the country’s communications, financial, transport, energy and digital systems is owned or operated by private entities. Government agencies cannot effectively protect these systems without structured partnerships with the businesses that manage them daily. 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 particular 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 the personnel managing 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 be approached as a matter of transparency and sovereignty. Kenya benefits from international partnerships, investment, humanitarian cooperation and diplomatic engagement, and these relationships should continue. However, the public has a legitimate interest in knowing when external actors seek to influence national decisions, public policy or strategic sectors. A well-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 applies when dealing with organised criminal groups. Kenya must take seriously the possibility that criminal networks can acquire greater capacity and more violent methods. Groups that terrorise communities, intimidate public officials or attack strategic facilities create a national security concern 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 abandon 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. Regional cooperation is therefore a practical necessity rather than a diplomatic courtesy.
The country should 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 unsupported 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, securing critical infrastructure is about protecting people. A safe communications network allows families, businesses and emergency services to stay 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 a concern raised only after an attack.
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 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.
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