NAIROBI, Kenya- The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) has officially launched a comprehensive Counter-Terrorism and Counter Financing of Terrorism (CT/CFT) curriculum, a strategic initiative aimed at equipping prosecutors with advanced skills to tackle terrorism and related financial crimes.
The curriculum, unveiled at a ceremony in Nairobi, is designed to enhance Kenya’s prosecutorial capacity in preventing, investigating, and prosecuting terrorism and the financing of terror activities.
It integrates lessons from landmark cases, including the DusitD2 terror attack, where accused individuals were convicted of financing and facilitating terrorism, and a bio-terrorism case involving a plot to deploy Anthrax.
According to the ODPP, the curriculum introduces prosecutors to a ‘Network vs. Network’ approach, providing practical tools for dismantling the financial and logistical structures that support terrorist organizations.
It also incorporates modern investigative techniques, digital forensics, and international cooperation strategies, reflecting the increasingly complex landscape of global terrorism.
“The launch of this curriculum is a major milestone for the ODPP and the criminal justice sector,” said the DPP.
“It equips our prosecutors with the knowledge and skills needed to tackle terrorism and related crimes, while strengthening collaboration with domestic and international partners.”
The Director of Public Prosecutions Renson Ingonga CBS, OGW, has officially launched the Counter Terrorism and Counter Financing of Terrorism (CT/CFT) curriculum, a strategic initiative to strengthen the fight against terrorism in the region.This curriculum will equip
The program was developed with the support of international partners, including the British High Commission, the US Department of Justice, OPDAT, and the International Institute for Justice and the Rule of Law (IIJ).
The training emphasizes navigating Mutual Legal Assistance agreements, preserving digital evidence, and disrupting diverse terrorism financing streams, such as illicit trafficking, environmental crime, and territorial taxation within conflict zones.
A core component of the curriculum focuses on the digital frontier, addressing how cybercrimes, phishing, and cryptocurrency are used by terrorist networks to raise and move funds anonymously.
Prosecutors will be trained to leverage blockchain analytics, digital forensics, and intelligence-led approaches to secure convictions in both traditional and virtual theaters of criminal activity.
The curriculum also highlights the role of specialized judicial infrastructure, particularly the Kahawa Law Courts, Kenya’s premier court for counter-terrorism and transnational organized crime cases.
Prosecutors will receive guidance on handling complex evidentiary challenges, ensuring that cases involving high-stakes security threats are effectively prosecuted while upholding human rights standards.
Additionally, the program incorporates mental health support, acknowledging the psychological toll of handling violent extremist cases and graphic evidence.
Trauma-informed practices aim to ensure the resilience and effectiveness of prosecutors working under high-pressure conditions.
The launch marks a significant step toward strengthening Kenya’s legal and institutional frameworks to counter terrorism and its financing, a key requirement as the country seeks to improve compliance with international anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing standards.
