On 23 February 2026, the IIJ supported the launch of Kenya’s Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP)’s new Training Curriculum on Counter-terrorism and Countering the Financing of Terrorism for public prosecutors with the attendance of regional justice actors Kenya, Zambia, Mozambique, Tanzania, Uganda, and Somalia.
The new curriculum, developed since 2024 by a working group of senior Kenyan prosecutors, was shaped with support from the United Kingdom and United States embassies in Kenya. The IIJ contributed expert feedback ahead of its finalisation and supported a pilot training in May 2025 through the IIJ’s Canada-funded project on Building Strong Procedural Mechanisms for Mutual Legal Assistance.
Going forward, this comprehensive two-week programme will guide Kenyan prosecutors through the full legal lifecycle of a terrorism case, from historical context and gender considerations to the applicable legal framework under the Prevention of Terrorism Act. It addresses key technical areas including countering the financing of terrorism, cyber-terrorism, and mutual legal assistance. A strong emphasis is placed on practical application, with exercises on case theory development and witness management, culminating in a mock trial and a field visit to the Anti-Terrorism Police Unit.
The curriculum aims to promote multi-agency coordination and ensure a consistent, professional approach to prosecuting complex and often cross-border terrorism cases, benefiting both current and future prosecutors in Kenya. It draws inspiration from the IIJ’s Counterterrorism Academic Curriculum (CTAC), a foundational programme designed to equip criminal justice practitioners with the practical skills and knowledge required to investigate and prosecute terrorism cases in full respect of the rule of law and human rights. Several members of the Kenyan drafting team previously participated in the CTAC.
The newly launched counter-terrorism training curriculum illustrates how the IIJ’s peer-led approach to engaging with partners empowers practitioners and strengthens national criminal justice capacity to address terrorism and advance security while upholding human rights.