The war on graft in Kenya has gone digital and high-tech, with the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) unveiling a state-of-the-art interview facility developed in partnership with the American FBI.

Located at the Integrity Centre in Nairobi, the new suites are not just interrogation rooms; they are a sophisticated ecosystem of digital forensics and evidence-gathering tools designed to crack complex financial crimes. The launch, attended by top US officials, signals a deepening operational alliance between Nairobi and Washington in the fight against transnational corruption.

Closing the Net on "Big Fish"

EACC CEO Abdi Mohamud, speaking at the launch, termed the facility a "game-changer." "Corruption networks have evolved. They use encrypted comms, crypto wallets, and complex money laundering schemes. We cannot fight 21st-century crimes with 20th-century tools," he declared.

The facility was funded and technically supported by the FBI, the US Embassy, and the Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL). It features advanced audio-visual recording capabilities that ensure the integrity of suspect interviews, reducing the likelihood of cases collapsing in court due to "recanted confessions" or procedural technicalities.

A Transnational Partnership

This development follows a series of high-level engagements, including a visit by FBI Director Christopher Wray to Kenya last year. [...](asc_slot://start-slot-13)The partnership focuses on:

• Asset Recovery: Tracing and repatriating billions of shillings stashed in offshore accounts.
• Training: 26 EACC officers recently completed an "Advanced Public Corruption" course at the FBI Academy in Quantico, Virginia.
• Evidence Management: The new suites will allow for real-time analysis of digital trails, linking local graft to international enablers.

US Embassy Chargé d'Affaires Susan Burns underscored the stakes: "Kenya's long-term prosperity is closely linked to the successful eradication of corruption. This facility is a tangible symbol of our commitment to that goal."

For the "cartels" used to operating in the shadows, the message is chilling: the EACC is now watching, listening, and recording in high definition.