The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) has launched East Africa's first specialised Counter-Organised Immigration Crime Team (COICT), a new elite unit tasked with combating trafficking in persons, migrant smuggling, document fraud and other organised cross-border crimes.
The 29-member team was officially commissioned on Friday, July 24, 2026, during a ceremony at the Border Police Training Campus in Kanyonyoo, Kitui County. Director of Criminal Investigations Mohamed Amin flagged off the officers on behalf of Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja before they were deployed to strategic border stations across the country.
According to the DCI, the officers completed an intensive specialised training programme designed to equip them with the skills needed to investigate and dismantle organised immigration crime networks.
"The officers completed an intensive, specialised training programme before being deployed to strategic border stations across the country," the DCI said in a statement.
The newly established team will operate under the DCI's Serious Crime Unit and will focus on investigating criminal syndicates involved in trafficking in persons, migrant smuggling, travel document fraud and other transnational offences that threaten Kenya's security and public safety.
Counter-Organised Immigration Crime Team on July 24, 2026.
PHOTO/DCI
The specialised training was conducted under the East Africa Border Security Programme, which is funded by the British High Commission and implemented through a partnership involving the National Police Service, VALAR and HAART Kenya.
The programme covered intelligence-led investigations, investigative interviewing, trafficking in persons and migrant-smuggling investigations, financial and digital evidence management, crime scene processing, operational planning, international cooperation, human rights, professional ethics and victim-centred investigative approaches.
Speaking during the commissioning ceremony, Amin urged the officers to uphold professionalism, integrity and accountability while carrying out their duties.
He directed the officers to ensure that all investigations are intelligence-led, evidence-based and conducted within the provisions of the Constitution, the National Police Service Act and other applicable laws.
Amin also reminded the team that while protecting the country's borders, they have a responsibility to treat victims of trafficking and exploitation with dignity, fairness and compassion.
Representing the British High Commission, Ben Fisher described the establishment of the COICT as a significant milestone, saying it marks the first specialised counter-organised immigration crime capability in East Africa.
He praised the longstanding security partnership between Kenya and the United Kingdom, noting that the collaboration had provided both funding and technical expertise to support the initiative.
On behalf of the Deputy Inspector General of the Administration Police Service, APS Director of Security Operations Jackson Kangani challenged the officers to turn their specialised training into measurable results.
He urged the team to dismantle criminal syndicates, rescue victims, secure successful prosecutions and contribute to improved public safety.
The DCI said the formation of the specialised unit demonstrates its continued commitment to strengthening investigative capacity, enhancing cooperation among security agencies and improving intelligence-led responses to increasingly sophisticated transnational criminal organisations.
With their training now complete, the officers are expected to begin operations at key border points across the country as Kenya intensifies efforts to secure its borders and curb organised immigration crime.