NAIROBI, Kenya- To strengthen its hand in probing competition law breaches, the Competition Authority of Kenya (CAK) has taken a major leap with the setup of a forensic laboratory, marking an initial spend of Sh45 million on the first phase of the initiative.
The lab is a response to long-standing limitations in securing solid, actionable evidence during investigations, particularly evidence that can stand up to judicial scrutiny.
“When we did investigations in the past, we had challenges in getting and obtaining credible evidence,” said CAK Director General David Kemei.
“We have now invested in a forensic lab, which gives us the ability to obtain credible evidence that can stand the test of time and even before the court.”
Designed with specialized digital tools and analytical software, the lab enables CAK to collect and break down information sourced directly from electronic devices and cloud systems belonging to firms under investigation.
“This forensic lab allows us to obtain information from our clients, process it, analyze it using the tools we have bought, and then get the evidence that can stand scrutiny.”
The Sh45 million already spent lays the groundwork for what CAK says will be a phased development strategy.
Further upgrades and expansions will follow, depending on available funding.
The lab is expected to become a vital pillar in CAK’s enforcement arsenal, particularly as competition infractions increasingly shift into the digital realm.
