Australia is launching its highest level of public inquiry after a terror attack at Sydney's Bondi Beach claimed 15 lives, a move drawing attention from nations like Kenya still grappling with the scars of terrorism.

The decision to initiate a 'royal commission' puts a spotlight on how governments respond to security failures, offering a framework for accountability that could inform Kenya’s own anti-terror strategies.

New South Wales (NSW) Premier Chris Minns called for the inquiry, describing the mass shooting as the "most serious event that’s affected New South Wales for decades." The call was swiftly backed by Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, who pledged to "support whatever action the NSW government takes."

A Familiar Pain Across Oceans

For many Kenyans, the tragedy in Sydney—a vibrant, multicultural city home to a significant Kenyan diaspora—resonates deeply. Kenya has faced its own devastating attacks, from the 1998 US embassy bombing to the Westgate Mall siege in 2013 and the Garissa University attack in 2015. While Kenyan authorities conducted investigations after these events, the Australian move towards a royal commission represents a more powerful and independent process.

Australia and Kenya share intelligence and cooperate on counter-terrorism, a partnership underscored by a bilateral agreement signed in 2023. This shared threat makes Australia's response particularly relevant.

What is a Royal Commission?

A royal commission is Australia's most powerful and independent form of inquiry, reserved for matters of major public importance. Unlike a standard police investigation or parliamentary committee, it has broad powers to:

• Summon witnesses and compel them to give evidence under oath.
• Demand the production of documents from government and private entities.
• Operate independently of government, with its findings and recommendations made public.

Analysts note that such commissions are designed to uncover systemic failures and recommend sweeping changes to policy and law to prevent future tragedies.

As Australia prepares to dissect its security apparatus under a microscope, observers in Nairobi will be watching closely. The global fight against terror is a shared one, and the lessons learned in one hemisphere often prove vital in another.