DCI Partners With US For Counter-Terrorism Training [PHOTOS]

Detectives drawn from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations' (DCI) Anti-Terrorism Police Unit (ATPU)’s Emergency Response Team (ERT) on Friday, April 21 successfully completed a rigorous advanced combat riding course held at Kedong training camp in Naivasha, Nakuru County.

The highly specialized course was facilitated by DCI partners including the US Embassy’s Office of Anti-Terrorism Assistance under the Diplomatic Security Services, TripleTap Academy, Kibo and BMW Motorrad.

The training was tailored towards enhancing the provision of immediate response capability to emergent and high-risk incidents requiring specialized skills and tactics.

DCI detectives on bikes during a training session on Friday, April 21, 2023. /DCI

It included obstacle-crossing skills, speedy manoeuvres with an armed pillion passenger, and target shooting while in motion among other skills.

Anti-Terrorism Assistance Regional Programs Manager Mike Solis noted that the ERT is now equipped to better manage incidents and respond to the ever-dynamic security situations expeditiously, specifically in response to terror threats.

Triple Tap Academy Instructor Sammy Onyango, an exceptionally experienced shooting coach, noted that the course participants received world-class training that exposed them to different scenarios, that would come in handy while responding to priority operations.

The coach who has been instrumental in training the team noted that similar pieces of training would continue to be offered.

This will be to ensure that ERT operates professionally, efficiently, safely, and effectively in guaranteeing public safety and security.

The ERT is a highly skilled tactical unit in counter-terrorism, hostage rescue and close-quarter combat operations, that has received training locally and internationally.

ATPU is a unit within the DCI which is mandated to mitigate and investigate terrorism-related cases in the country. It was formed in the year 2003 as a unit based at the Police headquarters to investigate all terrorism matters.

ATPU's formation came after several terror attacks were experienced in the country for example the U.S. Embassy in Nairobi (1998) and the Kikambala (2002) terror attacks. The escalation of such events shifted the line of thought that terrorism is a European problem and or phenomenon.

DCI detectives on bikes during a training session on Friday, April 21, 2023. /DCI