Kenya’s investigative agency, DCI, receives forensic lab equipment from Germany

By Samuel Ouma

The fight against crime in Kenya on Thursday, March 4, received a boost after the German Government donated forensic lab equipment to the country’s Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI).

The equipment valued at ksh26 million (approximately US$237,393) will hasten the investigation process.

They included cameras and simulation crime scene tools.

Speaking during the handover at the DCI headquarters in Nairobi, German Deputy Ambassador Thomas Wimmer said the equipment would significantly help solve criminal offenses.

On his part, DCI boss George Kinoti praised the German Government, noting the donation will help tackle several pending cases.

Kinoti also updated Kenyans on the forensic laboratory's status, which has been under construction for many years, saying it is 98 percent complete.

He averred that it is just a matter of time before the laboratory is officially opened.

The lab is based at the DCI’s headquarters.

Many Kenyan criminal cases have remained unsolved due to a lack of laboratories to carry out tests for evidence on matters being investigated.

The country has relied on foreign laboratories like South Africa and some European countries to conduct its tests.