NAIROBI, Kenya — Kenya has strengthened its capacity to investigate and prosecute cybercrime after the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) received a suite of advanced digital forensics equipment from the Government of Germany through the African Union Mechanism for Police Cooperation (AFRIPOL).
The donation, handed over on Tuesday at the DCI National Forensic Laboratory, marks a major milestone in efforts to modernise the country’s cybercrime response amid rising cases of digital fraud, online financial crimes, data breaches, and coordinated transnational hacking operations.
Abdallah Komesha, Director of the Investigations Bureau, received the equipment on behalf of the DCI Director and said the tools would significantly enhance the speed, accuracy, and reliability of digital investigations.
“This support has come at the most opportune time,” Komesha said during the ceremony. “The equipment will greatly increase the efficiency of our investigations, allowing us to resolve critical cases faster and ensure justice is delivered without unnecessary delays.”
The tools form part of a German-funded Digital Forensics Project implemented jointly by AFRIPOL, the German Federal Police, and participating African law enforcement agencies.
The initiative seeks to upgrade selected cyber and digital forensic laboratories across the continent into regional centres of excellence.
Kenya’s DCI Cyber and Digital Forensics Laboratory was selected as the lead centre for Eastern Africa, a designation officials say reflects the country’s growing role as a regional hub for detecting and combating evolving cyber threats.
According to global security analyses and recent regional reports, East Africa continues to face increasing digital vulnerabilities as financial services, government operations, and private-sector systems shift rapidly online.
Kenya has in recent years reported spikes in mobile-money fraud, SIM swap schemes, ransomware attacks, and cryptocurrency-linked crimes.
Experts warn that criminal syndicates are becoming more sophisticated, often operating across borders and exploiting gaps in cyber defence frameworks.
Authorities view improved forensic capabilities as essential to building strong prosecutorial cases, protecting digital infrastructure, and maintaining public trust.
At the handover ceremony, Gillon Mwangi, Deputy Director of Forensics, reaffirmed the DCI’s commitment to utilising the new equipment effectively and ensuring that Kenya remains at the forefront of digital investigations in the region.
“This marks a significant step in strengthening our forensic directorate,” Mwangi stated. “We are fully committed to using these tools to disrupt cybercriminal networks and safeguard our nation’s digital ecosystem.”
The event was attended by a delegation from the Embassy of Germany, the German Federal Police, and the Federal Criminal Police Office (BKA), led by El-Mokdad Zafer.
Representatives applauded Kenya’s investment in cybercrime security and emphasised the importance of sustained international cooperation in combating digital threats.
The partnership adds to broader continental efforts by AFRIPOL to harmonise regional cybercrime responses, enhance cross-border information-sharing, and build modern investigative capacities within African police agencies.
As Kenya continues to digitise public services and expand its financial technology landscape, the DCI hopes the new tools will help reduce case backlogs, improve evidence integrity, and speed up successful prosecutions.
With cybercrime expected to grow in scale and complexity, officials say the enhanced forensic laboratory will play a critical role in safeguarding national security, protecting citizens’ data, and anchoring the country’s long-term digital transformation goals.
