Inside Kenya’s New Crackdown on Human Trafficking Networks

The Directorate of Criminal Investigations has renewed its push against human trafficking and migrant smuggling, warning that the crimes continue to destroy lives and exploit some of the most vulnerable members of society.

Speaking during the opening of a Training of Trainers Workshop at the National Criminal Investigations Academy, Deputy Director of DCI Mr. Onyango said traffickers are taking advantage of desperate people through forced labour, sexual exploitation and other forms of abuse.

Mr. Onyango, who represented DCI Director Mohammed Amin, said the agency is determined to dismantle the criminal networks behind the crimes while ensuring victims are protected and treated with dignity.

“These are serious crimes that continue to cause suffering to many people, especially the vulnerable,” he said.

The workshop brought together trainers from police institutions across the country to sharpen their skills in investigating trafficking in persons (TIP) and smuggling of migrants (SOM).

The training is part of wider efforts to strengthen how police officers handle such cases and improve prosecutions through better investigations.

Mr. Amin also acknowledged the support Kenya has received from international partners in the fight against trafficking and migrant smuggling.

He thanked the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, the European Union and the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development for supporting the country through training programmes, technical assistance and institutional support.

Senior officers who attended the event included Ibrahim Jilo and Stephen Chacha.