Detectives drawn from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) and the Ethics &Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) have embarked on a course to train their enforcement officers on tactical safety and survival.
The course aims to equip officers with the requisite skills to deal with any threats and challenges they may encounter during counter-narcotics operations.
Speaking during the launch of the course in Nairobi on Monday, August 12, 2024, the deputy director of criminal investigations John Onyango said there was a need for training in light of the ever-changing trends in crime.
“The course participants, the training ahead of you is a unique opportunity to equip you with requisite skills to deal with the ever-changing threats and challenges you may encounter during counter-narcotics operations. It is vital to enhance your professionalism and competencies for career progression as an officer,” Onyango said.
Onyango also appreciated the US government’s support in continuously developing human resources and facilitating high-level training in the country.
Attacks on EACC officers
Attacks on EACC officers have been on the rise, with most of their assailants being armed.
On July 25, 2024, EACC sleuths arrested a former Member of Parliament and his wife in a raid which led to the recovery of assorted items including fake bank notes.
During the raid, the former Isiolo MP Abdi Tepo attempted to open fire at the detectives but was quickly disarmed and arrested.
“The couple was arrested on Thursday afternoon after the MP purported to open fire at EACC detectives who had gone to his residence for a search operation targeting his wife, a prime suspect in the multi-million NHIF graft scandal under investigation by the Commission,” EACC said in a statement on July 25, 2024.
Similarly in 2023, two DCI officers were sentenced to prison after they fired at EACC sleuths who had uncovered their attempts to solicit a bribe from a Chinese national who had travelled to the country without proper documentation.
EACC officers gained entry into Kabete police station where the Chinese national had been detained in the guise of posting part of the bribe when they arrested the DCI officer who received the money.
However, before they could leave with the officer, his colleagues fired rounds of ammunition in the direction of the EACC sleuths, letting him escape.
The training is set to equip DCI and EACC officers with survival tactics and operation procedures during high-risk ventures including those that involve narcotic traffickers.
Present during the official opening of the course were US Africa Command J59 Casey Wagner, Director of Training Edwin Kamau, Director Anti-Narcotics Unit Samuel Laboso and Commandant NCIA Garitiria Mboroki.
