Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen has announced a sweeping policy directive requiring all police stations in Kenya to be fitted with CCTV cameras within the next two years.
Speaking at a press briefing held at Harambee House in Nairobi, Murkomen said the new directive will enhance accountability within the National Police Service and ensure incidents of human rights abuse are recorded and acted upon.
“Every one of the over 1,000 police stations in the country will mandatorily have CCTV surveillance installed. The Officer Commanding Station (OCS) shall be held personally responsible for the operations and condition of these cameras,” said Murkomen.
The directive comes amid public outrage following the death of blogger and teacher Albert Ojwang while in police custody at Central Police Station. Murkomen assured the public that those responsible for Ojwang’s murder will be brought to justice.
“The death of Albert Ojwang is a stain on the conscience of the service. Those culpable will be held accountable and punished in accordance with the law,” he stated firmly.
In addition to the CCTV rollout, the CS outlined a range of police reforms aimed at restoring public trust and professionalism within the force. These include:
Annual capacity-building trainings for OCSs to promote ethics and operational excellence.
Mandatory training for all service men and women to uphold human rights, fundamental freedoms, and dignity.
Digitization of the Occurrence Book (OB) across all stations.
Strengthening of the Community Policing Initiative to improve citizen-police cooperation.
Regular audits and performance reviews for officers and stations.
Proposed amendments to the IPOA Act to bolster the agency’s mandate and effectiveness.
Murkomen emphasized that the reforms are geared towards institutional accountability and long-term professionalization of the police service.
“We are committed to transforming the National Police Service into a trusted, people-centered institution that reflects the constitutional values of integrity and justice,” said Murkomen.
The Interior Ministry is expected to work in close collaboration with Parliament, the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA), civil society, and other stakeholders to deliver on the ambitious reform agenda.
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