Kenya and the United States have reaffirmed their partnership to strengthen prosecutorial systems and improve the delivery of justice, with a renewed emphasis on digital transformation, cybercrime prosecution, and capacity building within the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP).
The renewed collaboration builds upon the long-standing relationship between the ODPP and the U.S. Department of Justice (USDOJ), implemented through the Office of Overseas Prosecutorial Development, Assistance and Training (OPDAT).
The two sides met in Nairobi to review progress and outline new areas of cooperation aimed at adapting to the rapidly evolving landscape of crime and technology.
The discussions focused on enhancing digital transformation and cybercrime prosecution, developing policies on deferred prosecution agreements, strengthening asset recovery frameworks, and promoting regional training and coordination.
They also examined ways to improve research and data-driven prosecution, handle cryptocurrency-related offences, and boost capacity in addressing AI-enabled cybercrimes and cross-border evidence sharing.
Among the notable milestones of the ODPP–USDOJ partnership is the joint development of the Inter-Agency Guidelines on Counter-Terrorism and Counter-Financing of Terrorism (2024), which provide a unified operational framework for coordination among the ODPP, security agencies, and the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA).
The partnership has also seen both institutions conduct regular joint trainings and simulation exercises to enhance evidence-based prosecution of terrorism and financial crimes. Through OPDAT, the USDOJ has continuously supported the professional growth of Kenyan prosecutors in areas such as anti-money laundering, counterterrorism, asset recovery, cybercrime, and drug trafficking.
The Prosecution Training Institute (PTI) has been one of the major beneficiaries of this collaboration, receiving ICT infrastructure, specialised curricula, and access to training materials that have strengthened prosecutorial education both locally and regionally.
During the discussions, U.S. Chargé d’Affaires Susan Burns commended the ODPP for its leadership in modernising Kenya’s prosecution systems and promoting inter-agency cooperation across the criminal justice sector.
She reiterated the U.S. government’s commitment to supporting Kenya’s efforts in upholding the rule of law, enhancing accountability, and improving the handling of complex cross-border crimes.
“The United States remains committed to helping Kenya strengthen its justice systems and ensure prosecutors are well-equipped to deal with evolving global threats,” she said.
The ODPP, on its part, highlighted its ongoing efforts to establish a Prosecution Research and Policy Unit and develop digital dashboards that will track training outcomes and monitor case performance.
These initiatives are expected to advance a data-driven approach to policy formulation and enhance overall prosecutorial efficiency.
“Kenya’s justice sector is adapting to new threats by integrating digital innovation, forensic expertise, and inter-agency intelligence to build a safer and more accountable society,” the ODPP stated.
As technology-driven crimes become more complex, the expanded ODPP–USDOJ cooperation aims to ensure that Kenya’s prosecutors are equipped to handle cases involving digital fraud, AI-related offences, and cyber threats.
The continued investment in training, research, and technological innovation is set to position the ODPP as a modern, people-centred institution that delivers justice effectively in a digital era.
