The Directorate of Criminal Investigation’s (DCI) Anti-Terrorism Police Unit (ATPU) and the Joint Anti-Terrorism Task Force (JTTF) received a major logistical boost from the United States (US).
US gifted the units with two top-of-the-range vehicles and twelve motorbikes that will greatly ensure the units deliver services efficiently.
America’s Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI) Anti Terror Assistance Programme and the State Department Bureau of Counter Terrorism, represented by Messrs Mike Solis and Julius Nutter, presented the awards to DCI boss, Mohamed Amin.
DCI, in turn, appreciated the partnership it enjoys with the US government, stating that the developed nation has assisted the agency in fighting terrorism.
During the flagging-off ceremony, Amin appreciated the collaboration, which he credited for the overall reduction in terror-related cases.
“I am glad to note that the DCI has jointly with the U.S government developed and benefited from similar programs before, that have exposed our detectives to contemporary crime detection, prevention and interdiction techniques,” Amin declared.
“United States has recognized the joint areas of collaboration that we have had over the years and the partnership has borne the desired results,” he stated.
The gifts were courtesy of the growing and improving partnership between the DCI and the US in the security sector.
Establishment of the joint terrorism task force began after the horrific Al Shabaab terrorist attack on the DusitD2 Hotel.
Kenya, thereafter, recognised the need for multi-agency counter-terrorism investigative operations.
Amin stated that more than 150 officers in the DCI had received specialized training locally and in the US, with 42 detectives drawn from the ATPU undergoing a 12-week intensive counterterrorism workshop at the FBI Academy in Quantico, Virginia.
According to the DCI, the US assured more advanced support to the units, alluding that it will aid detectives in detecting financial transactions involving tax evasion, money laundering, and financing criminal and terrorist organizations.
The US also lauded the force for assuming a lead role in the fight against terrorism, violent extremism and transnational organized crimes in the region.
A few days ago, DCI Amin received the US Deputy Assistant Secretary of State in charge of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement, Tobin Bradley, who led the guest on a tour of the recently launched DCI National Forensic Laboratory.
In November 2022, the DCI chief enjoyed a courtesy visit by FBI Assistant Director Raymond P. Duda, who pledged to strengthen ties between the directorate and the FBI.
Source: kENYANS.CO.KE