NAIROBI, Kenya — The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Human Trafficking Institute (HTI) aimed at enhancing Kenya’s capacity to prevent, investigate, and respond to cases of human trafficking.
The agreement, signed at the DCI headquarters in Nairobi, outlines key areas of cooperation, including capacity building, information sharing, and technical support to strengthen Kenya’s investigative and prosecutorial response to trafficking in persons.
DCI Director Mohamed Amin welcomed the collaboration, describing it as a timely intervention amid a rise in human trafficking incidents across the region.
“This partnership has come at the right time when we are witnessing a surge in cases of human trafficking,” said Mr Amin. “The DCI remains committed and ready to work closely with the Human Trafficking Institute to achieve our shared goal of eradicating this crime.”
Mr Amin underscored that the partnership would not only improve the agency’s investigative capacity but also enhance inter-agency coordination in identifying, protecting, and securing justice for victims of trafficking.
On his part, the Vice-President of Programs at HTI, Mr J. Tyler Dunman, expressed gratitude to the DCI for its commitment to tackling human trafficking, noting that the Institute is dedicated to fulfilling its role under the MoU.
“We appreciate the leadership and dedication of the DCI in this critical fight,” said Mr Dunman. “HTI remains committed to supporting Kenya in building strong, victim-centred systems that bring traffickers to justice.”
Human trafficking remains a major transnational crime in East Africa, with Kenya identified as a source, transit, and destination country for victims, according to the U.S. Department of State’s 2024 Trafficking in Persons Report.
The MoU is expected to enhance Kenya’s compliance with international anti-trafficking standards, including the Palermo Protocol and the Counter-Trafficking in Persons Act, 2010.
Experts say the partnership could help bridge critical gaps in training and data-sharing, strengthening Kenya’s broader counter-trafficking framework in line with its obligations under the East African Community and African Union instruments on human rights and security.
The DCI and HTI are expected to begin joint implementation of training programs and case analysis initiatives in the coming months as part of the new collaboration.
