Murkomen Pushes for Bigger, Smarter DCI to Tackle Crime Surge
Kipchumba Murkomen, the Interior Cabinet Secretary, isn’t mincing words—Kenya’s Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) needs more boots on the ground and sharper minds. Standing before the press, he made it clear: fighting organized crime and handling complex investigations has outgrown the DCI’s current setup. With criminal networks getting smarter, Murkomen says Kenya’s investigators need to stay several steps ahead if they’re to keep communities safe.
The DCI has long faced staffing shortfalls, leaving officers stretched thin across sprawling caseloads. Murkomen’s answer? Expand the workforce. He stopped short of giving a precise headcount, but there’s no doubt the plan is ambitious. The government is gearing up to fast-track recruitment and plug those critical gaps, especially in specialized units that chase cybercrime, narcotics, and economic offenses.
But beefing up numbers isn’t the only answer. The skills gap is just as urgent. Murkomen is pushing for a deep overhaul of the DCI’s training academy—a move he calls a turning point for the country’s law enforcement. Right now, the DCI Academy’s training methods haven’t kept pace with the speed of change in criminal tactics. Think money laundering and digital fraud—these demand tech-savvy investigators trained to hunt evidence online, outsmart forensics tricks, and use cutting-edge surveillance.
Outdated Methods Out, Modern Policing In
Murkomen’s blueprint goes beyond adding personnel. At the heart of the reform lies a reimagined training curriculum. Future detectives will be immersed in new modules tailored to modern crimes, from cyber forensics to digital evidence handling. The academy’s physical facilities, some of which haven’t seen a facelift in years, are also on the upgrade list. Classrooms, laboratories, and simulation rooms will get a boost so that trainees don’t just learn theory but get hands-on with the latest investigative gadgets and tools.
This drive comes on the heels of recent changes to police hiring rules. Back in June 2025, Inspector General Douglas Kanja rolled out stricter, merit-based recruitment guidelines meant to filter out unqualified candidates. Transparency is key—no more behind-the-scenes deals or rushed intakes. The hope is to attract passionate, tech-adept Kenyans ready to serve and adapt quickly to evolving threats.
Murkomen’s reforms match Kenya’s growing need for public trust in its law enforcement agencies. If the DCI can investigate more efficiently and respond faster to new crime trends, the public might regain confidence in the force. The Cabinet Secretary hasn’t given timelines yet, but it’s clear the government is ready to pour resources into making this overhaul stick.
For DCI officers, these changes signal new expectations. Training will be tougher and more relevant, casting out outdated routines in favor of strategies proven to work in other countries. And for ordinary Kenyans, a bigger, smarter DCI could mean better security—one step closer to taming the country’s rising crime wave.
Murkomen is betting this combined approach—expanding staff and modernizing preparation—will finally turn the tide for Kenya’s criminal investigations.
Sihle Tana
I am a journalist with a passion for covering daily news in Africa. My work has taken me across the continent, reporting on significant events and stories that impact communities. I strive to bring insightful and comprehensive news coverage to my readers.
This is exactly the kind of forward-thinking reform Kenya needs. No more throwing bodies at problems-investing in real skills, tech, and integrity? Yes. The DCI has been stuck in 2005 while criminals moved to 2025. Time to catch up.
Oh wow, a government initiative that doesn’t involve hiring cousins and calling it 'merit-based.' Groundbreaking. Next they’ll be installing actual forensic labs instead of photocopying Interpol brochures.
I can already see the press conference: 'We’ve hired 500 new agents!' ... and then they all get assigned to monitor TikTok trends because that’s the only crime they can recognize.
The real test isn’t the budget or the new classrooms-it’s whether the culture inside the DCI shifts from bureaucratic inertia to investigative curiosity. Training means nothing if the mindset stays the same. This could be the beginning of something meaningful, if they follow through.
Cyber forensics training is long overdue. I’ve seen cases where digital evidence was mishandled because officers didn’t know how to preserve metadata. If they’re actually teaching chain-of-custody for digital devices, that’s a win. Just make sure the labs aren’t just for show.
More staff? Great. Now who’s going to pay for their pensions in 20 years?
While the structural reforms are commendable, one must not overlook the necessity of institutional accountability. Without independent oversight mechanisms, even the most advanced training programs risk becoming performative rather than transformative.
The DCI’s transformation must be measured not by headlines, but by conviction rates in complex financial crimes over the next three fiscal years. Until then, this remains aspirational.