Criminal Investigation Department (Kenya)

Last updated

Directorate of Criminal Investigations
DCI Kenya Logo.jpeg
Agency overview
Formed1926 (as Criminal Investigation Department)
Jurisdictional structure
Operations jurisdiction Kenya
Operational structure
HeadquartersMazingira Complex, Kiambu Road, Nairobi, Kenya
Agency executive
  • Mohamed Ibrahim Amin, Director
Parent agencyNational Police Service (Kenya)
Website
www.dci.go.ke

The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI), formerly the Criminal Investigation Department (CID), is a department within the National Police Service of Kenya. It is responsible for investigating serious crimes, coordinating criminal intelligence, and advancing forensic capabilities. Headquartered at Mazingira Complex, Kiambu Road, Nairobi, the DCI operates under the legal framework of the National Police Service Act 2011 and Article 247 of the Constitution of Kenya. [1]

Contents

History

The DCI traces its origins to the Kenya Police, established in 1887 by the Imperial British East Africa Company. Formalized in 1906 under the Police Ordinance, the CID evolved through units like the Fingerprint Section (1909) and Criminal Intelligence Unit (1926). The transition to the DCI occurred post-2010 under the new constitutional framework, renaming and restructuring the department to align with modern investigative needs. [2]

The DCI operates under the following legal provisions:

Leadership

The DCI is led by a Director appointed by the President of Kenya, reporting to the Inspector General of Police. Since 2010, the title has been "Director of Criminal Investigations." The current director is Mohamed Ibrahim Amin, appointed in 2022. [6]

Historical leadership

Directors of the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (1935–Present)
S/No.RankNameTenure
1Superintendent in ChargeNeil Stewart M.M1935–1949
2Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP)Alfred William Riggs1950–1951
3ACPJohn Timmerman1951–1955
4ACPHugh R. Walker1956–1957
5Senior Assistant Commissioner of Police (S/ACP)Leslie G. Mitchell1957–1960
6S/ACPThomas P. McBrierley1960–1965
7S/ACPPeter O. Ochieng1965–1974
8Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP)Ignatius I. Nderi1974–1984
9Senior Deputy Commissioner of Police (S/DCP)Noah N. Too1984–1999
10Senior Deputy Commissioner of Police I (S/DCPI)Francis K. Sang1999–2003
11Senior Deputy Commissioner of Police II (S/DCPII)Daniel T. Ndung’u2003–2004
12Senior Deputy Commissioner of Police I (SDCP1)Joseph M. Kamau2004–2006
13DCPSimon K. Gatiba2006–2010
14Director of Criminal Investigations (DCI)Francis N. Muhoro2010–2018
15DCIGeorge M. Kinoti2018–2022
16DCIMohamed Ibrahim Amin2022–Present

Current deputy directors

Organizational structure

The DCI comprises specialized directorates, units, and regional commands to fulfill its mandate.

Directorates

Key Directorates at DCI Headquarters
DirectorateFunction
AdministrationManages human resources and logistics
OperationsOversees field operations
InvestigationHandles serious crime case management
ForensicConducts DNA, ballistics, toxicology, and digital forensics
Crime Research Intelligence Bureau (CRIB)Analyzes criminal intelligence
National Central BureauCoordinates with Interpol
Counter Terrorism Centre of ExcellenceFocuses on terrorism prevention

Specialized units

Disbanded units

Formations

Regional and county commands

Core functions

The DCI's mandate, as per the National Police Service Act 2011, includes:

  1. Investigating serious crimes (e.g., homicide, terrorism, cybercrime, trafficking)
  2. Collecting and analyzing criminal intelligence
  3. Maintaining law and order
  4. Detecting and preventing crimes
  5. Apprehending offenders
  6. Managing national criminal records
  7. Conducting forensic analysis
  8. Executing DPP directives
  9. Investigating IPOA-referred cases
  10. Coordinating with international police organizations [10]

Resources

Forensic Science Laboratory

A KSh 5.7 billion facility at Mazingira Complex, equipped with:

DCI Academy

Provides training in investigative techniques, forensics, and intelligence analysis

Technology

Controversies and reforms

Collaboration with other agencies

The DCI maintains extensive international partnerships:

See also

References

  1. "About the Directorate of Criminal Investigations". Directorate of Criminal Investigations. Retrieved 9 June 2025.
  2. "History of Kenya Police". National Police Service. Retrieved 9 June 2025.
  3. "Constitution of Kenya" (PDF). Kenya Law. Retrieved 9 June 2025.
  4. "National Police Service Act 2011". National Police Service. Retrieved 9 June 2025.
  5. "Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions". ODPP. Retrieved 9 June 2025.
  6. "Mohamed Amin Appointed as New DCI Director". Daily Nation. 15 September 2022. Retrieved 9 June 2025.
  7. "Specialized Units of DCI". Directorate of Criminal Investigations. Retrieved 9 June 2025.
  8. "DCI Disbands Flying Squad Amid Controversy". The Standard. 10 September 2020. Retrieved 9 June 2025.
  9. "DCI Regional Structure". Directorate of Criminal Investigations. Retrieved 9 June 2025.
  10. "National Police Service Act 2011". National Police Service. Retrieved 9 June 2025.
  11. "DCI Unveils State-of-the-Art Forensic Lab". The Star. 15 May 2020. Retrieved 9 June 2025.
  12. "eCitizen DCI Services". eCitizen. Retrieved 9 June 2025.
  13. "IPOA Investigations on Police Conduct". Independent Policing Oversight Authority. Retrieved 9 June 2025.
  14. "Kenya: Police Reforms Fall Short". Human Rights Watch. 18 July 2023. Retrieved 9 June 2025.
  15. "Kenyan, US authorities cooperate in Sh10.1 billion fraud probe". Daily Nation. 12 May 2023. Retrieved 9 June 2025.
  16. "Kenya, Israel deepen security cooperation". Directorate of Criminal Investigations. 3 November 2022. Retrieved 9 June 2025.
  17. "UK crime agency trains Kenyan detectives on proceeds of crime". The Star. 25 August 2022. Retrieved 9 June 2025.
  18. "INTERPOL Kenya". INTERPOL. Retrieved 9 June 2025.