Police officers were seen at the scene of an explosion in Nairobi, capital of Kenya, Jan. 27, 2019. (Xinhua/Fred Mutune)
The U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and Department of State have partnered to assist Kenya in creating the first Joint Terrorism Task Force (JTTF) to be located outside of the U.S., according to a press release.
NAIROBI, Feb. 11 (Xinhua) -- The U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and Department of State have partnered to assist Kenya in creating the first Joint Terrorism Task Force (JTTF) to be located outside of the U.S., according to a press release.
"The first Kenyan JTTF will allow for a sharing of experience, knowledge, and capabilities that will enhance our shared commitment to countering terrorism around the world," Charles Spencer, FBI's assistant director of the international operations division said in a statement.
Spencer said the Kenyan-led JTTF will be a multi-agency counterterrorism investigative force in Nairobi.
The FBI said the initiative to establish a Kenyan Joint Terrorism Task Force (JTTF-K) began after the al-Shabab terrorist attack on the DusitD2 Hotel in Nairobi on January 16, 2019.
FBI said 42 selected Kenyan investigators will receive a 12-week intensive counterterrorism training at the FBI Academy in Quantico, Virginia.
The photo shows the wreckage of a vehicle that was burnt by suspected al-Shabab at Milihoi in Lamu County, Kenya, on Feb. 9, 2020. (Xinhua/Chris Mgidu)
The investigators will be trained and equipped to investigate all terrorism matters deemed of significant importance to Kenya's National Security Council.
Upon completion of the course, the JTTF-K officers will return to Kenya, where they will be assisted by an FBI special agent mentor.
George Kinoti, Kenya's director of the Directorate of Criminal Investigations, said, "Due to globalization and the rapid advancement in technology, terrorists and their sympathizers have also changed tactics and devised new methods to further their agenda,"
"Endeavors such as the Kenyan Joint Terrorism Task Force will allow for a multi-agency approach to achieve common objectives and assist us in obtaining the upper hand against the enemy," he said in the press release. ■
