Kenya and its regional partners have reaffirmed their commitment to a unified response against human trafficking and migrant smuggling, as the Regional Forum on Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for Investigating and Prosecuting Trafficking in Persons concluded in Nairobi.
The three-day forum, held at Villa Rosa Kempinski, brought together 90 delegates from Kenya, Ethiopia, Uganda, and Djibouti, building on previous forums held in September 2022 and November 2023. The gathering aimed to strengthen cross-border cooperation through the adoption and implementation of harmonised SOPs to dismantle complex trafficking networks.
Speaking on behalf of the Director of Criminal Investigations (DCI), Deputy Director Mr. Onyango emphasized that the SOPs are vital in ensuring victim-centered investigations and effective judicial processes. He noted that the protocols are key to identifying, referring, and supporting victims, especially when they serve as witnesses in court proceedings.
Mr. Onyango reiterated Kenya’s unwavering commitment to combating trafficking through robust law enforcement mechanisms under the Counter-Trafficking in Persons Act No. 8 of 2010, and stressed the importance of regional and international collaboration in sustaining this momentum.
The forum also acknowledged the critical role of international partners. In his closing remarks, DCI Director Mr. Mohamed Amin extended gratitude to the European Union, German Federal Ministries for Economic Cooperation and Development, CIVIPOL, GIZ, IOM, UNODC, and the ROCK Project for their continued support in driving the regional anti-trafficking agenda.
Distinguished attendees included Marco Bufo, Regional Coordinator at CIVIPOL; Anne-Claire Zirnhelt, Director of Operations at CIVIPOL; Johanna Boegel from GIZ’s Better Migration Management Programme; and Thomas Valetasfrom the French Ministry of Interior.
The forum concluded with a shared resolve to operationalize the SOPs across borders, bolstering efforts to bring traffickers to justice and provide holistic support to victims across East Africa.