By Brian Kiprono - Reporter
10 May 2026 - Kenya’s fight against cybercrime, money laundering and human trafficking is set to receive a major boost after the FBI announced plans to strengthen its presence in Nairobi through an expanded partnership with the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI).
The move was revealed during a high-level meeting at the DCI headquarters in Nairobi between senior Kenyan investigators and FBI Co-Deputy Director Andrew Bailey.
At the centre of the new plans is the expansion of the FBI Legal Attaché Office in Nairobi through the appointment of a Regional Transnational Anti-Corruption Programme Manager, a position expected to improve technical support, specialised training and regional coordination in tackling organised crime.
The latest talks signalled growing cooperation between Kenya and the United States as criminal networks increasingly operate across borders using technology, digital currencies and sophisticated financial systems.
During the meeting, officials from both agencies discussed deeper collaboration in tackling terrorism, cybercrime, financial fraud, human trafficking, narcotics trafficking and money laundering.
They also explored new areas of cooperation involving digital forensics, artificial intelligence, cryptocurrency tracking and predictive analytics.
DCI Director Mohamed Amin said the partnership between the two agencies had already delivered major results through joint operations and intelligence sharing.
“The collaboration has consistently yielded tangible operational successes through joint investigations, intelligence sharing, extraditions, specialised training, and capacity-building initiatives,” Amin said.
He added that support from the FBI and the US government had helped modernise Kenya’s investigative capabilities through advanced forensic training, technical assistance and operational support.
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Bailey praised Kenya’s commitment to fighting corruption and strengthening regional security.
“Robust anti-corruption efforts are essential for fostering investor confidence and boosting economic growth,” he said.
The FBI official also reaffirmed America’s commitment to working closely with Kenya, describing the two agencies as “equal partners” in addressing emerging global threats.
The renewed partnership comes at a time when Kenyan authorities are dealing with increasingly complex crimes involving online fraud syndicates, international money laundering networks and cross-border trafficking operations.
Officials believe stronger coordination between local and international investigators will help improve response to crimes that are no longer limited by national borders.
The visit by Bailey came nearly two years after former FBI Director Christopher Wray toured Kenya, underlining the growing security ties between Nairobi and Washington.