DCI Kenya's Emergency Response Team of the Anti-Terrorism Police Unit outsmarted their counterparts at the 2025 East African Police Chiefs Cooperation (EAPCCO) SWAT Challenge held in Rwanda on Thursday.
SWAT challenge is an annual competition that assesses the region’s security teams on three main factors that include: obstacle crossing, tactical event (hostage rescue) and assault.
During the challenge, the Kenyan team ranked first in the tactical event having completed the task in a record 72 seconds without violating the set rules.
In the Assault event, Kenya came second after Rwanda's men's team amidst an elated audience of Police Chiefs and delegates from partnering international bodies.
Kenya emerged top among Rwanda and South Sudan in the 2025 EAPCCO SWAT Challenge.
Eng. Sammy Onyango, the Master Shooter who doubles as trainer and mentor of the ERT team, led in achieving the accolade.
In the Obstacle Crossing event held on day one of the competition, the RNP SWAT team finished top in record time.
South Sudan, Kenya, Djibouti, Somalia, Tanzania, Seychelles and Uganda were sandwiched among 19 obstacles as they battled it out for the third and subsequent positions.
In the event, ERT came fourth after South Sudan.
The Head of ERT Chief Inspector Alvince Osura, and the Chief Guest (Inspector General of Rwanda National Police) Felix Namuhoranye handed the medals to the team.
Namuhoranye, who is also the chairperson of EAPCCO, presided over the ceremony.
He commended the Inspector Generals who released their teams to participate in the regional event.
He noted that the SWAT teams had created strong bonds, shared skills and best practices, and stood in readiness to serve as one should the need arise.
Osura on his part lauded the team's agility, swiftness and mental strength, encouraging continued participation in the global sphere to enhance its skills further.
Interpol’s Head of National Central Bureau, Nairobi Ibrahim Jillo represented Kenya’s Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja.
