Kenya, US deepen anti-crime cooperation as DPP hosts FBI deputy chief
By Mustafa Juma, May 11, 2026Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Renson Ingonga has held high-level talks with the Deputy Director of the United States Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Andrew Bailey, as Kenya and the United States strengthen cooperation in the fight against transnational organised crime.
According to a statement shared on X by the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP), the meeting took place in Nairobi and brought together senior officials from the ODPP and representatives from the United States Department of Justice agencies.
Transnational crime and terrorism
Discussions centred on enhancing collaboration in tackling transnational organised crime, narcotics trafficking, terrorism, and the financing of terrorism.
Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to addressing increasingly sophisticated cross-border criminal networks that continue to pose security threats across regions.
The ODPP noted that the engagement forms part of ongoing efforts to strengthen international partnerships in criminal justice and law enforcement.
“The Director of Public Prosecutions, Renson Ingonga, CBS, OGW, held a bilateral meeting with the Deputy Director of the United States of America Federal Bureau of Investigation, Andrew Bailey, in Nairobi, reaffirming the long-standing partnership between Kenya and the United States in combating transnational organised crime, narcotics trafficking, terrorism, and the financing of terrorism,” the ODPP stated.
Strengthening legal cooperation
The talks also focused on improving mutual legal assistance frameworks and extradition mechanisms between the two countries.
Officials emphasised the need for faster and more efficient information sharing to support investigations and prosecutions involving cross-border criminal activity.
According to the ODPP, strengthening these legal tools is critical in ensuring that perpetrators of serious crimes cannot evade justice by moving across jurisdictions.
Reinforcing operational partnerships
The meeting further explored ways of deepening operational cooperation between Kenyan law enforcement agencies and their U.S. counterparts.
This includes joint efforts in intelligence sharing, capacity building, and coordination in complex investigations involving global criminal syndicates.
Officials from both countries said the partnership has been instrumental in disrupting criminal networks involved in drug trafficking, terrorism financing, and other organised crimes.
“The meeting brought together senior officials from the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) and representatives of the United States Department of Justice agencies, with discussions focusing on strengthening international cooperation, enhancing mutual legal assistance and extradition mechanisms, and reinforcing operational partnerships aimed at addressing increasingly sophisticated cross-border criminal networks,” the statement reads.
Long-standing Kenya–US security ties
Kenya and the United States have maintained long-standing cooperation in security and justice matters, particularly in counterterrorism and transnational crime prevention.
The meeting with DPP comes just a day after the Directorate of Criminal Investigations hosted the FBI Co-Deputy Director at the agency’s headquarters in Nairobi for high-level discussions aimed at strengthening cooperation in combating transnational crime and emerging security threats.
The meeting, at the Mazingira Complex in Nairobi, brought together senior officials from the DCI and the Federal Bureau of Investigation to review ongoing collaboration between the two agencies.
According to the DCI report on Sunday, May 10, 2026, the talks focused on enhancing joint efforts in fighting terrorism, cybercrime, transnational organised crime, financial fraud, human trafficking, narcotics trafficking, money laundering, and crimes against children.