Kenya's war on graft has just been supercharged after a select group of 26 officers from the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) benefited from a high-level anti-corruption course provided by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).
The officers were flown to the FBI’s Academy in Quantico, Virginia, in the United States to undertake the Advanced Public Corruption Training, following a partnership between the two investigative bodies.
The specialised training focuses on advanced investigative techniques, anti-corruption strategies, forensic analysis, and international cooperation, and is designed to enhance the officers’ technical skills in combating corruption and economic crimes.
“Twenty-six EACC officers are undertaking the Advanced Public Corruption Training at the FBI Academy in Quantico, Virginia, USA,” EACC stated.
“The specialised training, focusing on advanced investigative techniques, anti-corruption strategies, forensic analysis, and international cooperation, was designed to enhance the officer's technical skills in combating corruption and economic crimes,” it added.
Signifying the significance of the training, the commencement of the training was graced by EACC Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Abdi Mohamud, who stressed the significance of multi-agency cooperation, both regionally and globally, in the fight against corruption.
Alongside the training, Mr. Mohamud held strategic discussions with the Bureaus' top leadership on possible areas of cooperation between the two agencies, including on intelligence sharing and recovery of proceeds of corruption.
He also held meetings with the leadership of the Department of Justice (DOJ), focusing on capacity building, particularly in cross-border investigations and Mutual Legal Assistance (MLA).
The ceremony was also attended by the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Assistant Director in charge of Training, Mr Matthew Miraglia, among other FBI officials.
The training comes amid collaboration between the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission and the Federal Bureau of Investigation in the discharge of their respective mandates.
During his time in the US, Mohamud also paid a visit to the Kenyan Ambassador to Washington, DC, David Kerich, where the two leaders explored possible mechanisms of collaboration.
Key among them was the issue of fake academic credentials allegedly issued by US-based institutions of higher learning.
