Kenya, Rwanda Sign New Police Cooperation Deal to Combat Transnational Crime

Kenya and Rwanda have signed a new Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aimed at strengthening police cooperation and enhancing joint efforts to address emerging transnational security threats across the region.

The agreement was signed in Kigali on May 29 by Kenya’s Inspector General of the National Police Service, Douglas Kanja, and the Inspector General of the Rwanda National Police, CG Felix Namuhoranye, on the sidelines of the 17th Technical Advisory Committee meeting of the Regional Centre on Small Arms (RECSA).

The new framework seeks to deepen collaboration between the two police services through enhanced information sharing, joint operations, capacity-building initiatives, and coordinated responses to regional security challenges.

Particular emphasis will be placed on combating transnational crime and curbing the illicit trafficking of small arms and light weapons in line with the Nairobi Protocol.

Officials said the agreement builds on years of cooperation between Kenya and Rwanda and reinforces existing mechanisms for addressing cross-border security concerns.

The signing follows a series of high-level engagements between the two countries. In March 2026, Rwanda National Police Chief CG Namuhoranye visited Kenya, where discussions focused on formalising cooperation, promoting exchange programmes, benchmarking best practices, and developing strategies to tackle evolving security threats.

Kanja also participated in Rwanda National Police Day celebrations on May 27, marking the 25th anniversary of the force’s establishment.

The renewed partnership aligns with the objectives of RECSA, a regional body that supports member states in preventing and reducing the proliferation of illicit small arms and light weapons through coordinated political, technical, and operational measures.

Under the agreement, both countries will expand practical cooperation through intelligence sharing, joint training programmes, exchange visits, and coordinated law enforcement operations.

The MoU also builds on earlier bilateral agreements signed in 2015 and reflects the commitment of both governments to strengthening regional security and addressing increasingly sophisticated transnational threats.

Security officials from both countries expressed confidence that the new cooperation framework will enhance the effectiveness of law enforcement efforts and contribute to greater peace, stability, and security within the East African region.