NAIROBI, Kenya- The United Kingdom Government has donated a fleet of operational vehicles to Kenya’s Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) to strengthen efforts to combat transnational organised crime across East Africa.
The vehicles were handed over to the DCI at its headquarters in Nairobi under the East Africa Border Security Programme, in a ceremony that also saw the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the two countries.
The handover was presided over by DCI Director Mohamed I. Amin and British High Commissioner to Kenya Matt Baugh OBE, who officially flagged off the vehicles following the signing ceremony.
Speaking during the event, Baugh said the partnership between Kenya and the UK was aimed at disrupting criminal networks involved in human trafficking, migrant smuggling and document fraud.
“Organised immigration crime is a shared threat. It exploits the most vulnerable, undermines lawful migration and funds wider organised crime,” Baugh said.
He said the vehicles would provide the DCI’s Counter Organised Immigration Crime Team with greater capacity to conduct investigations and field operations targeting criminal networks operating across borders.
“Partnership only matters if it produces results on the ground — safer borders, protected victims and successful prosecutions,” the High Commissioner said.
Baugh also commended Kenyan investigators for their professionalism and reaffirmed the UK’s long-term commitment to strengthening border security in East Africa.
The East Africa Border Security Programme is being implemented with partners including Mercy Corps and Valar.
DCI highlights growing cross-border crime
Amin described the handover as a significant milestone in the longstanding security partnership between Kenya and the United Kingdom.
He said transnational organised crime was becoming increasingly complex, with criminal networks involved in human trafficking, migrant smuggling, document fraud and other cross-border offences.
According to the DCI director, addressing such crimes requires intelligence sharing, strong partnerships and coordinated action between law enforcement agencies and other stakeholders.
Amin said the new vehicles would significantly enhance the operational capabilities of the specialised Counter Organised Immigration Crime Team.
The vehicles are expected to enable investigators to respond more quickly, conduct field operations more efficiently and intensify efforts to identify, investigate and dismantle organised criminal networks operating within Kenya and across its borders.
The DCI director assured the UK government and other partners that the equipment would be used responsibly and effectively.
He said the support would contribute to stronger investigations, improved protection for vulnerable people and successful prosecution of individuals involved in organised crime.
Amin expressed appreciation to the British Government, the British High Commission and implementing partners for their continued support in strengthening Kenya’s law enforcement capabilities and regional security cooperation.
The ceremony was attended by officials involved in the border security programme, including Ben Fisher and Valar representative Joaana Oser.
