The JKIA Law Courts have granted the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) a 14-day detention period for 14 suspects arrested on September 1, 2026, at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport. The suspects are being investigated for alleged money laundering and obtaining money by false pretences. The DCI had requested a five-day detention period, citing the need for additional time to complete their inquiries.
According to the DCI, the investigations were initiated following a complaint lodged by a US national identified as Alkhalifi Ibrahim Hassan. The complaint led to an operation conducted by DCI officers, which resulted in the arrest of the 14 suspects. The suspects are accused of committing offences contrary to Section 3 of the Proceeds of Crime and Anti-Money Laundering Act and Section 313 of the Penal Code.
During the operation, DCI officers raided a warehouse identified as Zizo Warehouse, located behind Vision Plaza in Nairobi's Industrial Area. The raid resulted in the recovery of exhibits, which have been listed in an inventory attached to the DCI's application. The exhibits include mobile phones, which investigators believe may contain relevant evidence, such as financial transaction records and communications.
The DCI sought authority for their ICT/Digital Forensics Laboratory to take custody of the mobile phones and conduct a forensic examination. The examination aims to image, access, decrypt, search, and analyse the devices to retrieve potentially relevant evidence. The DCI argued that the information could not be properly retrieved, interpreted, or preserved without examination by qualified digital forensic examiners.
The court granted the DCI's application, ordering that the 14 suspects be detained for 14 days to allow investigators to complete the ongoing inquiries. The detention period will enable the DCI to conduct further investigations and gather evidence. The suspects are being held at JKIA Police Station.
The investigations involve complex transactions and multiple parties, making it challenging for investigators to complete their inquiries within the constitutionally prescribed 24-hour period for presenting arrested persons before a court. The DCI requires additional time to unravel the alleged money laundering and obtaining money by false pretences offences.
The matter will be mentioned next Friday for further directions and an update on the investigations. The DCI's efforts to combat financial crimes in Kenya have been ongoing, with a focus on disrupting and dismantling networks involved in money laundering and other financial crimes.
Key points
- The 14 suspects were arrested on September 1, 2026, at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport.
- The suspects are being investigated for alleged money laundering and obtaining money by false pretences.
- The court granted the DCI a 14-day detention period for the suspects.
