Kenya pushes for bigger UN anti-crime role as Afande takes up UN Vienna posting

Kenya is seeking expanded support from the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime to combat illicit drug trafficking, transnational organised crime and money laundering, Kenya’s envoy to the UN in Vienna has said.

Amb Edwin Afande said Kenya is seeking support in data collection and intelligence sharing to address transnational organised crime, human trafficking, illicit drug trafficking and terrorism financing.

“We are also seeking support in capacity building and technical assistance, including the detection of new psychoactive substances, in partnership with the UNODC narcotics lab,” Amb Afande, who is also accredited to Austria, told the Star on Thursday.

He spoke following his presentation of credentials to Monica Juma, Director General of the United Nations Office in Vienna and Executive Director of UNODC.

Afande noted that significant progress had already been made at JKIA through the provision of new detection kits and forensic devices by UNODC.

“Regarding Kenya’s grey-list status, UNODC support includes sensitisation training and workshops in partnership with the Financial Reporting Centre, the Law Society of Kenya and the DCI to ensure compliance with the FATF [Financial Action Task Force] legislative and institutional reforms required for de-listing,” he added.

Following his accreditation, Afande said new areas of cooperation with UNODC would include countering synthetic drugs and precursor chemicals through the Synthetic Drug Strategy (2025-28), funded by the United States.

“This covers countering illicit drug trafficking and new psychoactive substances in airports and along the coastal areas of Kenya, Tanzania and Mozambique,” he said.

The renewed anti-crime cooperation comes at a time when the Economic Survey 2026 reported that 15,791kg of dangerous drugs were seized in Kenya in 2025 alone.

The envoy added that police reform through the modernisation and professionalisation of the National Police Service College in Kiganjo, as well as strengthening Kenya’s anti-money laundering and counter-financing of terrorism systems, are among the key priority areas.

Another priority area is justice reform through the Programme for Legal Empowerment and Aid Delivery (Plead II), which covers corruption, criminal justice, judicial and prison reforms.

“Kenya is the biggest implementer and success model for the remaining countries in the region,” he added.

“Main funding is from the EU and partially the government of Kenya.”

Nairobi is also pushing for stronger maritime and cross-border cooperation, given Kenya’s strategic position as both a transit and destination point for illicit drugs in Eastern Africa.

Afande said Kenya and Unodc were already collaborating through joint enforcement training programmes, intelligence-sharing initiatives and coordinated operations targeting international trafficking syndicates.

The partnership also includes strengthening port and container control systems, improving forensic capacities at the Government Chemist and expanding prevention, rehabilitation and mental health programmes targeting young people affected by substance abuse.

Amb Afande’s accreditation came just days after Juma took office in Vienna, coming at a time when two senior Kenyan diplomats have assumed key international assignments almost simultaneously.

The discussions in Vienna also focused on Kenya’s broader diplomatic agenda, including support for UN reforms and the expansion of Nairobi as a major UN hub in the Global South.

During the credentials ceremony, Afande highlighted President William Ruto’s commitment to multilateral cooperation, peace and security, describing them as essential pillars for sustainable development.

He said the planned expansion of UN facilities in Nairobi should be viewed within the context of strengthening the UN’s ability to respond to emerging global challenges.

Juma welcomed Kenya’s backing of the UN reform agenda and praised Nairobi’s continued collaboration with UNODC in fighting drug trafficking, terrorism financing, human trafficking and economic crimes.

Kenya has increasingly positioned itself as a regional diplomatic and security anchor, playing leading roles in peace mediation efforts in Sudan and the Horn of Africa.

It also hosts the largest UN presence in the Global South through the United Nations Office at Nairobi.

Afande said Kenya would continue actively participating in key UNODC platforms, including the Commission on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice and the upcoming 15th UN Crime Congress in Abu Dhabi later this year.

The Vienna posting places Afande at the centre of key global discussions on international crime, terrorism, corruption and justice cooperation at a time when transnational security threats are becoming increasingly complex.