Murkomen Unveils Major DCI Staff Expansion and Training Academy Overhaul to Boost Investigations

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Outdated Methods Out, Modern Policing In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.