Kenya's new spy chief will lead the national intelligence service – what the job is all about

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But what is national intelligence and what work does it do, particularly in Kenya?

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https://theconversation.com/kenyas-new-spy-chief-will-lead-the-national-intelligence-service-what-the-job-is-all-about-206991https://theconversation.com/kenyas-new-spy-chief-will-lead-the-national-intelligence-service-what-the-job-is-all-about-206991
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Saturday, June 10, 2023
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Intelligence, National, Arrest, MI5, Violence, National Police Service (Bulgaria), Leadership, Falls, Terrorism, Government, Parliament, National Intelligence Service, United States Intelligence Community, Directorate, Directorate of Criminal Investigation and Interpol, Al-Shabab, Crime, Pakistani Intelligence Community, Naval Criminal Investigative Service, Management, Drug, Telephone, Medical device, Arms industry, Mail, Private investigator, Risk management, Customer service, Information technology
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KENYA, UK
Summary
Key Points: 
  • But what is national intelligence and what work does it do, particularly in Kenya?
  • Legislators will either approve or reject his nomination to the National Intelligence Service as director-general.
  • In my view as a political scientist who has studied Kenya’s counter-terrorism policies and strategies, Haji could improve civilian oversight and accountability in the intelligence service.

What is intelligence?

    • Intelligence services are state agencies that produce reports to help maintain national security.
    • By providing reliable information about potential threats to national security, intelligence agencies contribute to peace and stability.
    • Kenya’s National Intelligence Service has three primary divisions responsible for these different kinds of information.

What are the functions of intelligence?

    • The National Intelligence Service functions to detect actual and potential national security threats.
    • The intelligence service provides confidential security reports on people who apply for state positions that require vetting.
    • This means it is not legally permitted to carry out police functions, such as search, arrest and prosecution.
    • In such cases, the Directorate of Criminal Investigations, which falls under the National Police Service, investigates and sets the appropriate charge.

How is intelligence gathered?


    This is done through a process known as the intelligence cycle. It includes:
    • Kenya’s National Intelligence Service gathers information by working with individuals and organisations.
    • It also cooperates with foreign governments and intelligence agencies, such as the MI5 in the UK.

Going forward


    During his vetting, Haji listed several proposals to make the service more accountable and efficient. They included:
    In my view, such efforts could succeed if the country’s leadership commits to them. The state needs to give the service the financial, technological and human resources it requires to be more autonomous.
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