The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) has launched a pioneering Blockchain and Cryptocurrency Investigation Training Programme aimed at enhancing Kenya’s ability to counter fast-evolving digital crimes.
The initiative, unveiled earlier today, marks one of the most comprehensive efforts yet to equip law enforcement with advanced skills to tackle offences committed through virtual assets and decentralised technologies.
The training module was launched during a ceremony led by the Director of the National Forensic Laboratory, Rosemary Kuraru, who represented the DCI Director.
She described the programme as a milestone in strengthening the country’s investigative capabilities at a time when criminal syndicates are increasingly shifting operations to digital platforms.
“The Directorate remains fully committed to staying ahead of criminal networks that exploit digital platforms, virtual currencies, and decentralised technologies for money laundering, fraud, terrorism financing, and other cyber-enabled offences,” Kuraru said.
She noted that the rapid evolution of technology had opened both opportunities and vulnerabilities, making it essential for law enforcement agencies to adopt innovative approaches.
The programme has been fully funded and technically supported by the European Union (EU), deepening long-standing cooperation between Kenya and the EU on security matters.
Through the new training module, DCI officers and other key stakeholders will gain specialised knowledge in blockchain analytics, cryptocurrency transaction tracing, digital wallet examination, and the broader architecture of crypto ecosystems.
The programme also incorporates international best practices in digital forensics, cyber investigations, and cross-border collaboration—tools increasingly essential in dismantling transnational criminal networks.
Criminals, Kuraru warned, are rapidly migrating to digital spaces where anonymity, encrypted communication, and borderless transactions complicate traditional policing methods.
“Technological advancement moves fast, and our responses must be just as innovative and proactive. Criminals are exploiting anonymity and decentralised systems, presenting unprecedented challenges that demand new skill sets,” she said.
She also applauded the European Union for what she termed a “sustained and meaningful investment” in Kenya’s security infrastructure.
“We warmly commend the EU for its continued support in knowledge transfer, capacity building, and strengthening operational excellence. This partnership has been instrumental in preparing us for the realities of modern crime,” Kuraru added.
The DCI views the initiative as a transformative step toward enhancing Kenya’s capacity to detect, investigate, and disrupt digital offences.
It will also help position the country as a regional hub for modern policing and cybersecurity resilience.
According to the Directorate, the programme underscores Kenya’s determination to stay ahead of criminals exploiting emerging technologies and reaffirms the nation’s commitment to safeguarding digital transactions and public trust in fast-growing virtual economies.
