Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen on Monday ordered that all police stations across the country be equipped with surveillance cameras within two years.
CS Murkomen asserted that this would enhance transparency and accountability. He also urged the legislature to enact laws that criminalize tampering with the cameras.
“All police stations must be equipped with CCTV surveillance with a back-up system within two years to enhance transparency and accountability. Additionally, we propose that Parliament enact laws to criminalize tampering with the cameras,” Murkomen said.
Murkomen also directed the implementation of a policy reform framework in the National Police Service, including the digitization of the occurrence book (OB), which, according to the CS, would ensure that all cases recorded can be traced.
Other reforms include a community policing initiative, regular audits, evaluations, and performance reviews, as well as training and education for all officers. Murkomen said that the training would instill professionalism, discipline, and service excellence across all ranks.
The CS’s directives come amid a probe into the death of blogger Albert Ojwang’, who was gruesomely murdered while in police custody — an act that has ignited public wrath against the policing body and raised questions concerning the respect for fundamental human rights.
Albert Ojwang’ died on June 8, with autopsy results revealing that he succumbed to head injuries, neck compression, and multiple soft tissue trauma. The government pathologist ruled out self-inflicted injuries.
