The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) and the United States Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) have signed a Memorandum of Cooperation (MoC) to strengthen joint efforts to combat drug trafficking and the illicit narcotics trade.
The agreement, signed on Thursday, October 22, provides a framework for enhanced intelligence sharing, financial investigations and the application of modern investigative techniques to disrupt criminal networks operating across borders.
Speaking during the signing ceremony, DCI Director Mohamed Amin said the agreement demonstrated the shared commitment of Kenya and the United States to tackling transnational organised crime.
“The complex and evolving nature of these criminal activities requires a coordinated, intelligence-driven and collaborative approach. No single country or law enforcement agency can effectively address these challenges in isolation,” Amin said.
He expressed appreciation to the US government for its continued partnership and support, noting that closer cooperation between law enforcement agencies was essential in responding to increasingly complex criminal activities.
Amin said drug trafficking and the illicit narcotics trade posed significant threats to public health, national security and the wellbeing of communities.
The DCI director said the cooperation framework would strengthen collaboration in intelligence-led investigations, financial investigations and the use of modern investigative methods.
The partnership is expected to improve information sharing between the two agencies, enhance investigative capabilities and support coordinated responses to emerging criminal threats.
Financial investigations are particularly important in tracing proceeds of crime and identifying the networks and resources that sustain illicit narcotics operations.
On his part, DEA Acting Special Agent in Charge Christopher A. Dziedzic expressed confidence that the partnership would enhance the effectiveness of investigations and advance the shared objectives of the two agencies.
“The partnership will significantly enhance the effectiveness of our investigations while advancing our shared objectives,” Dziedzic said.
He reaffirmed the importance of mutual trust, sustained cooperation and a common determination to combat drug trafficking and related criminal networks.
The agreement builds on longstanding cooperation between the DCI and the DEA, providing a strategic framework for strengthening cross-border law enforcement collaboration.
The partnership comes amid the broader challenge of transnational organised crime, which requires law enforcement agencies to coordinate investigations and share relevant intelligence across jurisdictions.
By strengthening investigative capacity and cooperation, the two agencies aim to improve efforts to disrupt trafficking networks and hold perpetrators of drug-related offences accountable.
Senior officials present at the ceremony included Deputy Director of the DCI John Onyango, DEA Country Attaché Karl Ash and Special Agent Advisor Scott Jenkins, alongside other senior DCI officers.
The DCI said the agreement reaffirmed its commitment to international law enforcement partnerships, safeguarding communities and dismantling criminal networks involved in drug trafficking.
