CHELIMO: Kenya stresses security cooperation at Interpol session

Kenya’s security leadership has again taken its place on the global stage as Inspector-General of Police Douglas Kanja and DCI boss Mohammed Amin led the national delegation to the 93rd Global Police Leaders Session of Interpol in Marrakech, Morocco.

The high-profile meeting from November 24 to 29 brought together top policing commanders worldwide under the theme ‘Uniting Global Policing for a Safer World’.

Received by Ambassador Jessica Gakiga alongside diplomatic and foreign affairs officials, the Kenyan delegation’s presence signalled the country’s commitment to shaping the evolving architecture of global policing. This comes at a time when security threats have become more complex, borderless and technologically driven.

The session was designed to address the rapidly shifting nature of crime. Delegates reviewed future programmes, set the organisation’s strategic direction, debated budget priorities and evaluated global efforts in combating transnational crime.

Key issues included combating transnational organised crime networks, dismantling international scam centres, expanding Interpol’s global capacity, and accelerating the ratification and implementation of the UN Convention on Cybercrime. Elections for top leadership positions were held, making this meeting both strategic and consequential. 

For Kenya, participation at this level was not symbolic. It affirmed Kenya’s role as a security anchor in East and Horn of Africa and strengthened the country’s international policing partnerships.

Kenya has long demonstrated global leadership through counterterrorism operations, cross-border intelligence collaboration, and contributions to international peacekeeping missions.

This high-level representation ensures that Kenyan perspectives — especially those rooted in regional experiences — were fully reflected in global policing reforms.

Emerging security threats continue to evolve at a pace that demands international unity. Transnational organised crime has grown in sophistication, cybercrime now threatens national infrastructure and financial scam networks span continents. No nation can secure itself in isolation.

Criminals collaborate globally; law enforcement must do the same. This reality makes international cooperation not just a diplomatic option, but a mandatory security necessity.

From this meeting, Kenyans strengthened intelligence-sharing frameworks, enhanced cybercrime investigative tools, improved access to global databases and agreed on deeper training partnerships that enhance local policing capacity.

As a country that continues to carry the burden of terrorism and organised criminal activity, Kenya looks to the organisation to reinforce the nation’s global security alliances and bring home actionable strategies to safeguard communities.

As a security enthusiast and a person with disabilities, I emphasise the importance of inclusive security frameworks that protect vulnerable populations.

The global best practices shared at Interpol should guide Kenya in strengthening inclusive disaster response mechanisms, safeguarding persons with disabilities in crime situations, and integrating vulnerable groups into national security planning.

Kenya’s presence in Marrakech was a reminder that the nation is not only participating in global policing discussions but actively shaping them. At a time when the world seeks unity against unprecedented security threats, Kenya stands firm — as a partner, a leader, and a strong voice in the global movement toward a safer world.