A Nairobi court has ordered the detention of 14 individuals for five working days while forensic experts from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) examine electronic devices seized during an investigation. The suspects were initially arrested on 1 September 2026 at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport during a DCI operation. Their mobile phones and other digital items were confiscated as part of the probe into alleged money-laundering offences.
The DCI received a court order allowing it to keep the 14 suspects in custody for five working days. Forensic experts will examine the seized electronic devices, including mobile phones, to determine whether they contain transaction records, messages or other information relevant to the alleged offences. The examination will be conducted at the DCI's ICT/Digital Forensics Laboratory.
The probe was launched after a complaint from US national Alkhalifi Ibrahim Hassan. The DCI is investigating alleged money-laundering under Section 3 of the Proceeds of Crime and Anti-Money Laundering Act and false pretences under Section 313 of the Penal Code. Investigators raided Zizo Warehouse in Nairobi's Industrial Area, recovering additional exhibits that have been listed in an inventory attached to the detention application.
The DCI argued that the complexity of the case made it impossible to meet the constitutional 24-hour requirement for presenting arrested persons before a court. This led to the request for extended detention, which was accepted by the court. The suspects will remain at JKIA Police Station for the five-day period.
During the detention period, forensic experts will conduct a thorough examination of the seized devices, including imaging, decryption and data analysis. The experts will retrieve, interpret and preserve the data on the devices. The DCI's ICT/Digital Forensics Laboratory has the necessary equipment and expertise to conduct the examination.
A further hearing has been scheduled for the following Friday to review progress and issue any additional directions. The court will review the progress of the investigation and determine whether further detention is necessary. The suspects are being held at JKIA Police Station during the detention period.
The DCI's investigation is ongoing, and the detention of the 14 suspects is part of the probe into alleged money-laundering offences. The examination of the seized devices is a crucial part of the investigation, and the DCI is working to gather evidence and build a case against the suspects.
Key points
- The court has granted the DCI five-day custody of 14 suspects to examine seized mobile devices linked to alleged money-laundering offences.
- The suspects were arrested on 1 September 2026 at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport during a DCI operation.
- The probe was launched after a complaint from US national Alkhalifi Ibrahim Hassan, prompting DCI to investigate alleged money-laundering under Section 3 of the Proceeds of Crime and Anti-Money Laundering Act.
