NAIROBI, Kenya — Kenya has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening international police cooperation as criminal networks become increasingly sophisticated, technology-driven and capable of operating across national borders.
Director of Criminal Investigations (DCI) Mohammed I. Amin, who also serves as Africa’s delegate to the INTERPOL Executive Committee, made the call during the opening of the INTERPOL Capabilities Mentorship Programme for New Heads of National Central Bureaus (NCBs) and Senior Staff held at the INTERPOL Regional Bureau in Nairobi on Tuesday.
Amin’s speech was delivered on his behalf by DCI Deputy Director John Onyango.
The programme brings together senior law enforcement officials from across East Africa to strengthen the capabilities of National Central Bureaus and improve cooperation in combating transnational organised crime.
Amin said threats including terrorism, human trafficking, drug trafficking, cybercrime, money laundering, migrant smuggling and wildlife trafficking transcend national borders and cannot be effectively addressed by individual countries acting alone.
He said criminal organisations were increasingly exploiting jurisdictional gaps and advances in technology to expand their operations, making stronger regional and international cooperation essential.
DCI urges stronger intelligence sharing
Amin highlighted the role of INTERPOL and its National Central Bureaus in facilitating the timely and secure exchange of criminal intelligence between law enforcement agencies.
Such information includes data on wanted persons, stolen travel documents and vehicles, fingerprints, DNA profiles and other investigative information that can assist police in identifying suspects and disrupting criminal networks.
He called for stronger professional relationships among NCBs, enhanced intelligence sharing, joint investigations and coordinated law enforcement operations.
The DCI boss also urged participating agencies to make greater use of INTERPOL databases and secure communication systems to improve the speed and effectiveness of cross-border investigations.
He emphasised that sustained investment in specialised training and continuous professional development was necessary to ensure law enforcement officers remain equipped to respond to evolving forms of crime.
Shift towards intelligence-led policing
Amin further called on law enforcement agencies to adopt proactive, intelligence-led and preventive policing approaches rather than relying primarily on responses after crimes have been committed.
He identified cybercrime, financial crime and other technology-enabled forms of organised crime as emerging threats requiring police agencies to continuously adapt their investigative capabilities.
“When we share information, we share strength; when we cooperate, we deny criminals the opportunity to exploit our borders,” Amin said.
He said international police cooperation remained indispensable in disrupting criminal networks whose operations span multiple jurisdictions.
Kenya reaffirms INTERPOL commitment
The DCI reaffirmed Kenya’s commitment to international, regional and bilateral partnerships aimed at strengthening information sharing, coordinated law enforcement operations and professional development.
He said cooperation between police agencies was increasingly important as criminals continued to exploit modern technology and international borders to facilitate their activities.
As Africa’s representative on the INTERPOL Executive Committee, Amin continues to advocate for stronger continental and international police cooperation, enhanced intelligence sharing and collective action against transnational organised crime.
The mentorship programme in Nairobi provides an opportunity for senior officers from East Africa to strengthen their professional networks and exchange knowledge on the use of international policing mechanisms.
