Kenya, Italy Sign Deal to Boost Crime-Fighting Cooperation

By MINA Media

Kenya and Italy have signed a Letter of Intent to strengthen cooperation in preventing and combating crime as the two countries deepen their security partnership.

The agreement, signed between Kenya’s Ministry of Interior and National Administration and Italy’s Ministry of the Interior, provides a framework for collaboration between the two governments and their police agencies in tackling crime, including transnational organised crime.

Speaking during the signing ceremony, Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen said Kenya appreciates Italy’s integrated approach that links development, migration management and security.

The agreement provides for the appointment of contact points to coordinate strategic cooperation initiatives and facilitate information sharing at both bilateral and multilateral levels. It is also expected to pave the way for negotiations on a comprehensive security cooperation agreement.

Murkomen said Kenya would draw lessons from previous engagements with Italy, including benchmarking on public security coordination and modern policing.

“This milestone comes at a time when we are establishing the Nairobi Metropolitan Police Unit to enhance safety and security within the capital city and its environs,” he said.

He added that Kenya would seek Italy’s support once the broader security cooperation agreement is concluded to strengthen the new policing unit.

The Cabinet Secretary said the partnership forms part of Kenya’s broader security modernisation agenda aimed at enhancing police capability, improving the country’s response to domestic and transnational crime, and strengthening public safety.

Present at the ceremony were Italian Ambassador to Kenya Vincenzo Del Monaco, Principal Secretary for Internal Security Raymond Omollo, Principal Secretary for Immigration and Citizen Services Belio Kipsang, and other senior government officials from the two countries.