06/08/2026
𝟰,𝟬𝟬𝟬 𝗣𝗼𝗹𝗶𝗰𝗲 𝗥𝗲𝗰𝗿𝘂𝗶𝘁𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗯𝗮𝘁 𝗗𝗶𝗴𝗶𝘁𝗮𝗹 𝗚𝗲𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗿-𝗕𝗮𝘀𝗲𝗱 𝗩𝗶𝗼𝗹𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗢𝗻𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗲 𝗥𝗮𝗱𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗹𝗶𝘀𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻
KIGANJO, Kenya - More than 4,000 police recruits have completed specialised training on responding to Technology-Facilitated Gender-Based Violence (TFGBV), marking a significant step in preparing Kenya's next generation of police officers to address crimes increasingly committed in digital spaces.
The six-cohort training, held at the National Police College Main Campus in Kiganjo between 20 July and 1 August 2026, brought together recruits, law enforcement experts and partners in a multi-agency effort to strengthen policing in an era where online abuse, misinformation and extremist recruitment are growing threats.
Implemented through a partnership between the National Police Service, National Counter Terrorism Centre (NCTC), Directorate of Criminal Investigations - DCI, Office of Data Protection Commission (ODPC), and Search for Common Ground under the Catalyst Project, with support from the Christchurch Call Foundation, the programme equipped recruits with practical skills to investigate online abuse, protect survivors and identify digital threats linked to violent extremism.
Speaking during the closing ceremony, Search for Common Ground Country Director for the Horn of Africa, Judy Kimamo described the initiative as "the first of its kind in Africa," saying it represents a shift towards policing that protects citizens in both physical and digital spaces.
"We are not just equipping officers; we are cultivating digital stewards who understand that the front lines of human safety and social cohesion have expanded into online spaces," she said.
The training comes at a time when digital platforms have become increasingly central to everyday life, creating new opportunities for offenders to commit crimes ranging from cyberstalking and online harassment to the non-consensual sharing of intimate images, identity theft and cyberbullying.
Director of Gender and Child Protection at the National Police Service, Dolly Oduor reminded the recruits that policing must evolve alongside technology.
"As future police officers, you are entering service at a time when crime is increasingly committed through digital platforms," she said, urging the recruits to apply the knowledge gained in delivering ethical, rights-based policing.
Throughout the programme, participants received practical instruction on understanding gender norms, responding to Technology-Facilitated Gender-Based Violence, cybersecurity, digital safety, data protection, referral pathways for survivors and the relationship between online harms and violent extremism.
At the core of its methodology Search For Common Ground also instilled the Common Ground Approach to the recruits that provides the integration of the human-centric Common Ground Approach (CGA) framework into foundational law enforcement training equipping the police recruits with the interpersonal skills, conflict transformation tools, and rights-respecting mindsets necessary to navigate complex modern security landscapes.
The sessions were facilitated by experts drawn from the National Police Service, Directorate of Criminal Investigations, National Counter Terrorism Centre, Office of the Data Protection Commissioner and Search for Common Ground.
A key component of the training drew on research conducted by the Technical University of Mombasa, which found that online misogyny, cyberbullying and image-based abuse are becoming increasingly normalised among young people. The research also found that fear of stigma and a culture of silence discourage many survivors from reporting abuse through formal justice systems.
To address these barriers, recruits were trained to adopt survivor-centred policing by ensuring gender desks are safe, confidential and capable of handling digital evidence while treating survivors with dignity and respect.
The approach aligns with the National Police Service's commitment to delivering coordinated, trauma-informed and rights-based services, while supporting the Inspector-General's Strategic Plan (2023-2027), which prioritises digital transformation and community-centred policing.
The programme also examined the growing evidence linking online gender-based violence with violent extremism.
According to training materials presented during the sessions, participants reviewed findings showing strong consensus that Technology-Facilitated Gender-Based Violence can contribute to pathways towards radicalisation, particularly where online misogyny, hate speech and extremist narratives reinforce one another. Judy noted that recognising these patterns enables police officers to intervene earlier.
"Misogyny is no longer just a digital behavioural issue; it is a clear indicator of deeper radicalisation and a potent threat to national security," she said.
Beyond strengthening investigative capacity, the programme emphasised that the effectiveness of policing depends on public confidence.
Recruits were encouraged to work closely with prosecutors, health professionals, counsellors, children's officers, internet service providers and civil society organisations to ensure survivors receive comprehensive support and justice.
In her closing remarks, Oduor challenged the graduates to translate the training into professional service.
"The real test lies in how you translate this knowledge into ethical policing and quality service to the public. Be officers who uphold integrity, respect human rights, protect the vulnerable and enforce the law fairly and without discrimination," she said.
The completion of the six training cohorts marks an important milestone in strengthening Kenya's capacity to respond to emerging digital threats. As the recruits prepare for deployment across the country, they leave Kiganjo equipped with new skills to protect survivors of online abuse, investigate digital crimes and help build safer, more resilient communities both offline and online.
National Counter Terrorism Centre - Kenya
National Police Service
Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions Kenya
Office of the Data Protection Commissioner
