This week, the United States is providing special training in how to combat human trafficking to 40 police officers from seven African countries, including five from Kenya.
In a statement on Thursday, July 17, the US Embassy in Kenya confirmed that the officers have convened at the International Law Enforcement Academy (ILEA) in Otse, Botswana, for the training. Botswana, Cameroon, Djibouti, Gabon, Mauritius, and Lesotho are among the other countries participating in the program.
According to the Embassy, the officers have been drawn from the anti-human trafficking, child protection unit, and the economic crimes unit in the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI).
During the training, special agents from U.S. Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) will equip the officers with skills on how to apply law enforcement tools effectively, improve victim identification and protection, and collaborate with victim service providers.
"Special Agents from U.S. Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) are training law enforcement officers from Kenya this week to combat trafficking in persons at the International Law Enforcement Academy (ILEA) in Otse, Botswana," the US Embassy stated.
"The five officers are drawn from the anti-human trafficking, child protection unit, and the economic crimes unit in the DCI. This training targets at least 40 officers across the country and others from Botswana, Cameroon, Djibouti, Gabon, Mauritius, and Lesotho," it added.
According to the US, the training will be fundamental in honing the officer's investigative skills and knowledge of trafficking dynamics, in addition to safeguarding human rights and dismantling transnational organized crimes.
Furthermore, the US, which lauded Kenya for the laborious efforts it is demonstrating in a bid to put an end to such crimes, assured that the program will also be essential in reinforcing the diplomatic ties between the two countries.
"Kenya has demonstrated significant efforts in combating human trafficking, including implementing a victim identification screening tool for diplomatic missions, adopting a 2022-2027 National Action Plan (NAP), and increasing funding for anti-trafficking activities," the Embassy stated.
"The government has also strengthened protections for Kenyan trafficking victims abroad and enhanced regulations for labour recruitment agencies," it added.
The announcement comes hours after the National Police Service (NPS) penned an agreement with the United States Drug Enforcement Administration (US DEA), which aims to intensify the country's war on narcotics.
According to the Inspector General of Police, Douglas Kanja, the agreement, which was signed on Wednesday, July 17, was crucial in enhancing the country's capacity to enforce drug laws and combat cross-border drug trafficking.
“The Inspector General of Police, Mr. Douglas Kanja, today led the National Police Service in signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the United States Drug Enforcement Administration (US DEA), represented by the Special Agent in Charge of Africa and the Middle East, Mr. Jason Schumacher,” NPS stated.
