By Njeri Irungu,
23 February 2026,
Nairobi, Kenya.
The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) has launched a comprehensive Counter-Terrorism and Countering the Financing of Terrorism Curriculum, marking a significant milestone in Kenya’s efforts to combat terrorism and transnational organised crime.
Speaking during the launch, Director of Public Prosecutions Renson M. Ingonga described the curriculum as a transformative step for the criminal justice sector, noting that it equips prosecutors and law enforcement agencies with specialised knowledge to investigate and prosecute terrorism-related offences effectively.
“The launch of this curriculum is a major milestone for our office and the broader justice sector. It reflects our resolve to ensure that prosecutors are fully equipped to address terrorism and its financing with skill, precision, and adherence to the rule of law,” Ingonga said.
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The curriculum builds on Kenya’s recent prosecutorial successes, including convictions in the DusitD2 terror attack case, where accused persons were found guilty of financing and facilitating terrorist activities. The ODPP also secured a landmark conviction in a bio-terrorism case involving a medical doctor who plotted to deploy anthrax. Lessons from these high-profile cases have been incorporated into the training manual to guide future prosecutions.
Ingonga emphasised that the programme adopts a “Network versus Network” approach aimed at dismantling the financial and logistical structures that sustain terror groups. He noted that the curriculum addresses emerging threats such as illicit trafficking, environmental crimes, territorial taxation by armed groups, cybercrime, and the use of cryptocurrencies to finance terrorism.
A key component of the training focuses on navigating complex Mutual Legal Assistance (MLA) processes and strengthening international cooperation. The ODPP has worked closely with agencies and institutions in the United Kingdom and the United States to secure digital and financial evidence in cross-border investigations.
The initiative was developed over three years by a team of 15 prosecutors, with support from international partners including the British High Commission, the United States Department of Justice (USDoJ), OPDAT, and the International Institute for Justice and the Rule of Law (IIJ). The United States provided significant funding for the development of the manual.
A representative of the US Department of Justice lauded the curriculum as potentially the only one of its kind in Africa, describing it as a cornerstone guide for terrorism prosecutions in Kenya. The representative underscored the importance of conducting competent, fair, and expeditious trials to demonstrate respect for the rule of law while firmly addressing terrorism-related offences.
The Judiciary also welcomed the initiative, noting that terrorism and its financing present complex evidentiary and transnational challenges that require specialised expertise grounded in constitutional safeguards and human rights standards. The establishment of the Kahawa Law Courts as a specialised court for terrorism and transnational organised crime was highlighted as a key institutional innovation supporting the effective handling of such cases.
The curriculum further places emphasis on victim participation and the mental well-being of prosecutors, introducing modules on trauma-informed practices to address the psychological impact of handling high-stakes terrorism cases.
The British High Commission described the curriculum as a groundbreaking regional initiative, particularly for its strong focus on countering terrorism financing. It noted that the programme strengthens Kenya’s leadership in professional, rule-of-law-based counter-terrorism practice and aligns with broader strategic security partnerships.
As Kenya continues to face evolving security threats, the ODPP said the new curriculum signals a renewed commitment to professional excellence, inter-agency collaboration, and adherence to constitutional values in the fight against terrorism.
“With this launch, we celebrate the culmination of years of collaboration and officially begin a new chapter in strengthening prosecutorial capacity against terrorism and its financing,” Ingonga said.
