The Directorate of Criminal Investigations has concluded a week-long anti-money laundering training seminar for Sub-County Criminal Investigations Officers, marking a renewed push to strengthen Kenya’s fight against financial crime.
The training, held simultaneously in Mombasa, Naivasha, and Kisumu, brought together officers tasked with leading investigations at the grassroots level. It forms part of a broader national effort to improve the country’s ability to detect, investigate, and dismantle money laundering networks, as well as counter terrorism financing and other emerging financial threats.
The seminar comes at a critical time for Kenya, following its placement on the Financial Action Task Force grey list in February 2024. The designation highlighted weaknesses in the country’s anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing framework, raising concerns about regulatory gaps and enforcement challenges.
Participants engaged in detailed discussions on the state of investigations, prosecution bottlenecks, inter-agency coordination, and regulatory oversight. The sessions focused on identifying practical solutions to address these gaps and improve the effectiveness of financial crime investigations across the country.
Speaking during the closing ceremony at the Kenya School of Government in Mombasa, Director of Criminal Investigations Mohamed I. Amin stressed the urgency of strengthening the country’s anti-money laundering systems. He noted that the grey listing has had far-reaching implications, affecting investor confidence, financial stability, and Kenya’s global reputation.
The DCI boss highlighted ongoing reforms aimed at addressing these concerns, including amendments to anti-money laundering laws introduced in 2025. The changes have tightened requirements on beneficial ownership disclosure, enhanced monitoring frameworks, and introduced tougher penalties for non-compliance.
On the operational side, the Directorate has expanded its capacity by training more than 500 officers in specialized financial investigations. Efforts are also underway to modernize the Financial Investigations Unit through improved case management systems and alignment with international standards.
In Naivasha, Director of Investigations Bureau Francis Ndiema emphasized the central role of investigators in protecting the integrity of Kenya’s financial system. He warned that remaining on the grey list could lead to reduced foreign investment, stricter scrutiny of financial transactions, and a higher cost of doing business in the country.
Meanwhile, in Kisumu, Director Inspection Isaack Mwenda Meme called on officers to uphold professionalism and integrity in their work. He urged participants to share the knowledge gained with their teams, ensuring that the impact of the training extends beyond the seminar.
The conclusion of the training marks a key milestone in the DCI’s campaign against financial crime. Authorities say the focus now shifts to implementation, with investigators expected to translate the lessons learned into actionable intelligence and stronger cases.
As Kenya works toward removal from the FATF grey list, officials say sustained enforcement, improved coordination, and stronger legal frameworks will be critical in restoring confidence and protecting the country’s financial system.
