FBI honcho Christopher Wray and EACC boss Twalib Mbarak jawing during a chinwag in Nairobi on Tuesday, June 12, 2024
FBI Director Christopher A. Wray wrapped up his jaunt to Kenya on Wednesday after engaging with top security brass.
Touching down on Saturday, June 8, for a five-day sojourn, his arrival sparked speculation.
Questions swirled about his mission here even as officials hailed it as a boon for the nation.
Pressed for details, Wray shrugged off the hype, saying he was visiting a steadfast ally to bolster regional stability.
“We’ve got a solid buddy in Kenya; hence, our visit is to strengthen this bond. Part of our mission is to say a big thank you for the teamwork and collaboration,” he remarked.
Security honchos dubbed the visit monumental, noting Wray’s team spent five days in Nairobi, holding sessions and scoping out spots.
Wray’s stops included Nairobi National Park, the Dusit D2 Complex, and several shopping hubs.
At the Dusit D2 Complex, he saw firsthand the scars of the January 16, 2019, terror attack that claimed 22 lives.
He also had separate huddles with other key figures like National Intelligence Service Chief Noordin Haji, DCI Head Mohamed Amin, EACC CEO Twalib Mbarak, and Public Prosecution Director Mulele Ingonga.
Officials disclosed that Wray and his squad discussed cooperation with Kenya’s security leaders.
Hot topics? Cybercrime, terrorism, and corruption.
At the DCI headquarters, press folks fired off questions as Wray wrapped up a meeting and planted a tree for good measure.
Amin mentioned that Wray’s visit underscored the U.S. government’s keenness on the region.
He noted the FBI has been pivotal in training and equipping DCI personnel to up their crime-fighting game.
“The visit is a big win for us, and we’re thankful for their constant support. These joint sessions teach us loads,” Amin stated.
Wray assured that the teamwork will roll on, focusing on training and gear for both Kenyan and regional security.
FBI aid includes kitting out DCI and specialized training for sleuths.
This month alone, over a dozen Kenyan investigators will head to the FBI Academy in Virginia for undercover training.
He reiterated his trip aimed to express gratitude for the stellar teamwork with the FBI.
“Part of this visit is to convey our thanks for the superb cooperation with the DCI and other Kenyan agencies,” Wray remarked.
He highlighted the Joint Terrorism Taskforce (JTTF) initiative with Kenya as a linchpin in combating terrorism.
“We’re providing top-notch tools to our Kenyan partners, ensuring they can identify and tackle threats head-on,” he said.
“We’ve been collaborating with DCI to pool our resources and knowledge to face threats and share novel ways to counter terrorism,” added Wray.
The FBI legal attaché program has FBI staff stationed at the U.S. embassy in Nairobi, including a special agent bomb tech, a counterterrorism squad member, and a Hostage Rescue Team operative on continuous rotation.
Wray lent an ear to officials, pinpointing areas where the FBI needs to amplify its efforts to tackle emerging dangers.
EACC mentioned their longstanding alliance with the FBI, dating back to 2001.
This partnership has seen EACC investigators undergo training in undercover work, tradecraft, and cutting-edge techniques for probing complex financial crimes, corruption, and asset recovery.
In their meeting, Wray and the EACC CEO mulled over collaboration for effective modern law enforcement.
They decided to enhance ties between the FBI and EACC to tackle cross-border corruption and economic crimes.
The FBI pledged to bolster its support to the commission through training and modern investigative gear.
They also explored leveraging information sharing to trace and retrieve illicitly acquired assets stored abroad.
Mbarak hailed the visit as a pivotal step towards deepening partnerships and cooperation.
“With FBI’s technical backing, we can make a bigger dent in probing high-stakes cases and reclaim ill-gotten wealth,” Mbarak noted.
This visit followed President William Ruto’s recent U.S. trip, where he had a sit-down with Joe Biden.
The FBI, the United States’ premier federal law enforcement agency, tackles a range of criminal activities: terrorism, cybercrime, white-collar offenses, public corruption, civil rights breaches, and other major crimes.
