By Kepher Otieno - Reporter
Kenya, 14 June 2026 - Kenya is increasingly looking beyond its borders for solutions to the complex challenges posed by rapid urbanisation, organised crime and economic transformation, with Interior Principal Secretary Dr. Raymond Omollo leading a high-level benchmarking mission in Italy aimed at drawing lessons from one of Europe's most established governance and security systems.
Speaking during a courtesy call on Kenya's Ambassador to Italy, Frederick Matwang'a, at Kenya House in Rome, Omollo said the government was keen on building safer, smarter and more competitive cities capable of attracting investment and supporting economic growth. He noted that Kenya's urban transformation agenda extends beyond Nairobi to emerging municipalities and satellite cities across the country.
"We are committed to improving urban safe mobility, security and environmental management not only in Nairobi City but also in satellite cities across Kenya. These efforts are critical in attracting and retaining investors, creating a conducive environment for doing business and supporting professional and commercial activities that drive economic growth," Omollo said.
The Principal Secretary said the benchmarking mission was designed to study institutional frameworks that have enabled Italy to strengthen public safety, governance and service delivery while sustaining economic competitiveness. He noted that President William Ruto's administration was committed to adopting global best practices that can support Kenya's development ambitions and improve the quality of public services.
The visit comes at a strategic moment for Kenya as the government advances plans for a specialised Nairobi Metropolitan Police Unit intended to tackle increasingly sophisticated forms of urban crime. During the mission, Omollo held discussions with Brigadier General Renzo Nisi of Italy's Anti-Mafia Investigation Directorate (DIA), seeking insights into intelligence-led policing, multi-agency coordination and financial crime investigations that have helped Italy confront organised criminal networks over several decades.
While Italy's experience has largely been shaped by its battle against powerful mafia organisations, Kenyan authorities face a different but equally evolving threat landscape characterised by urban gangs, cybercrime syndicates, illicit trade networks, terrorism financing channels and corruption-linked criminal enterprises. Officials believe Italy's emphasis on intelligence gathering, coordinated enforcement and institutional resilience offers valuable lessons as Kenya modernises its security architecture.
Beyond security cooperation, Omollo praised the longstanding diplomatic relationship between Kenya and Italy, describing it as a partnership founded on shared values, mutual respect and strong people-to-people ties.
"The Government of Kenya remains fully committed to deepening bilateral relations with Italy. Our partnership continues to grow through cooperation in governance, trade, development and cultural exchange," he said.
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Omollo observed that the relationship is further reinforced by deep religious and historical connections between the two nations. Rome is home to Pope Leo XIV and serves as the global seat of the Roman Catholic Church, whose following extends to millions of faithful in Kenya and across the world.
"Kenya is founded on strong Christian values, and the spiritual bond between our people and Rome provides an additional foundation upon which our diplomatic relations continue to flourish," he added.
Analysts say the Rome mission signals a broader shift in Kenya's approach to governance and security reforms — moving from traditional enforcement-centred responses towards intelligence-driven, technology-enabled and institutionally coordinated systems capable of supporting modern urban economies.
As Nairobi positions itself as a regional financial, diplomatic and innovation hub, and as secondary cities continue to expand, the challenge for policymakers is no longer simply combating crime but building resilient institutions that can prevent criminal networks from infiltrating economic and governance structures.
For Kenya, the lessons emerging from Rome extend beyond policing. They touch on the broader question of how strong institutions, accountable governance and effective urban management can create safe, attractive and globally competitive cities. The mission may therefore be remembered not merely as a diplomatic engagement, but as an important step in shaping Kenya's next generation of security, governance and economic reforms.