Kenya and its East African neighbors have reaffirmed their unwavering commitment to combatting human trafficking and migrant smuggling, as the three-day Regional Forum on Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for Investigating and Prosecuting Trafficking in Persons concluded in Nairobi. The forum, held at the luxurious Villa Rosa Kempinski, brought together 90 delegates from Kenya, Ethiopia, Uganda, and Djibouti, marking a significant step in the region’s collective effort to dismantle trafficking networks and protect vulnerable individuals.
This forum is part of a series of collaborative efforts, building upon previous gatherings held in September 2022 and November 2023. Its primary goal was to strengthen cross-border cooperation and ensure that SOPs are adopted and implemented effectively to address human trafficking across East Africa.
At the forum’s closing, Deputy Director Mr. Onyango, speaking on behalf of the Director of Criminal Investigations (DCI), emphasized the importance of these SOPs in ensuring victim-centered investigations and efficient judicial processes. “These protocols are essential in identifying, referring, and supporting victims, particularly those who are key witnesses in trafficking cases,” Mr. Onyango said.
Highlighting Kenya’s dedication to tackling trafficking, Mr. Onyango reaffirmed the country’s strong law enforcement framework under the Counter-Trafficking in Persons Act No. 8 of 2010. He underscored the importance of regional and international collaboration in sustaining momentum in the fight against human trafficking.
The forum also celebrated the ongoing support from international partners. DCI Director Mr. Mohamed Amin expressed gratitude to organizations such as the European Union, German Federal Ministries for Economic Cooperation and Development, CIVIPOL, GIZ, IOM, UNODC, and the ROCK Project, which continue to play a crucial role in driving the regional anti-trafficking agenda.
Among the distinguished attendees were Marco Bufo, Regional Coordinator at CIVIPOL; Anne-Claire Zirnhelt, Director of Operations at CIVIPOL; Johanna Boegel from GIZ’s Better Migration Management Programme; and Thomas Valetas from the French Ministry of Interior.
As the forum concluded, all parties involved made a collective pledge to operationalize the SOPs across borders, marking a critical milestone in the region’s ongoing efforts to bring traffickers to justice and ensure comprehensive support for victims of human trafficking.
This collaborative approach represents a critical juncture in East Africa’s fight against human trafficking, and the region remains determined to enhance its unified response to this global issue.
