Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen has issued a directive ordering the installation of CCTV surveillance systems in all police stations across the country.
Speaking on Monday, June 16, Murkomen noted that all 1,209 police stations will be required to operate fully functional CCTV systems under strict supervision.
The CS also stated that each CCTV setup will be placed under the direct custody of the Officer Commanding Station (OCS) who will be held responsible for its functionality.
CS Murkomen orders installation of CCTV in all police stations. Photo: Courtesy.
“We shall be making proposals to Parliament to enact laws that criminalise tempering with CCTV cameras. The surveillance system shall be in the custody of the Officer Commanding Station (OCS) and the said officer shall be required to ensure that the system is always functional. Instances of fault shall be reported within one hour through the established chain of command, and the system shall have an external back-up system,” he noted.
Murkomen moreover disclosed that the government is rolling out a digital reporting platform to replace the manual occurrence books.
According to the CS, the digital system will serve as a secure and tamper-proof platform to record complaints and police reports.
The directive comes days after investigations by the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) revealed that CCTV systems at Central Police Station had been tampered with on the night Albert Ojwang died in police custody.
