The 11th Director of Criminal Investigations George Kinoti, on Friday, September 30 handed over office to the new acting Director General Dr. Hamisi Masa.
Kinoti, who served the country for 30 years and resigned after President William Ruto assumed office, listed his success as DCI boss, among them improving the services offered to members of the public.
“This has been a deliberate effort to ensure that DCI discharges its mandate efficiently and effectively, as expressed by the will of Kenyans in the 2010 Constitution and in conformity with established laws.
“The shift has also been brought about by globalization propelled by rapid advances in technology and increasingly well-informed society,” Kinoti wrote in a goodbye letter.
One of his most notable achievements was the specialized training of over 400 detectives in various fields of investigation in the United States, United Kingdom, Germany, China, India, Russia, and South Africa. In criminal investigations, the team led the world.
Following the training, the US Department of State and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) collaborated with DCI to form the first Joint Terrorism Task Force (JTTF) outside of the US.
“Under this prestigious program, 42 detectives drawn from the Anti Terrorism Police Unit (ATPU) underwent a 12-week intensive counterterrorism training at the FBI Academy in Quantico, Virginia, where I also joined the detectives to inspire them and make Kenya proud,” he noted.
Kinoti also transformed the directorate into a world-class investigative body, raising the standard of Kenyan investigations and earning praise for convictions in court, as well as delivering justice to crime victims in a timely manner.
He also oversaw the establishment of the Homicide Department, the Special Service Unit, and the Crime Research and Intelligence Bureau, all of which are credited with swift intelligence-led operations that resulted in a decrease in armed criminal activity across the country.
Under his supervision, an ultra-modern DCI National Forensic laboratory was also built, revolutionizing the way the unit managed a crime scene, gathered evidence, analyzed it, and used the results to nail suspects.
“Today, the DCI stands proud among its peers in the developed world, in offering outstanding investigative services. Across the African continent, DCI is currently recognized as one of the leading investigative agencies, and has in the last few years received invitations from various countries to assist in solving crime puzzles,” a proud Kinoti stated.
Other accomplishments include his election as Africa’s delegate to the Interpol Executive Committee, the establishment of a strong Corporate Communications and Public Affairs unit, and the dissemination of information on social media pages through narrative prose.
“This was a deliberate move to give the directorate a human face and increase our interaction with the people we serve. Consequently, to further gain public trust and confidence, a modern 3-star cafeteria that is open to the public was established at DCI headquarters.
He added: “I thank the government and the people of Kenya for the opportunity I had to serve for 30 years, from a police constable to the DCI boss. I also thank all the foreign missions, stakeholders, and partners, with whom we have worked together towards transforming the directorate into a reputable investigative agency.”
To conclude his letter, he thanked all detectives with whom he collaborated, stating that he will be eternally grateful for their assistance.
“We would not have traveled this far without prayers from Kenyans whose faith inspired and strengthened us no matter how drearily or challenging the times were,” Kinoti bade goodbye.
