NAIROBI, Kenya — The government will soon roll out body cameras for police officers as part of ongoing reforms aimed at improving accountability, curbing corruption, and strengthening transparency within the National Police Service (NPS), Interior Principal Secretary Raymond Omollo has announced.
Speaking during a press briefing on Wednesday, March 25, Omollo said the introduction of wearable cameras forms part of a broader plan to integrate technology into policing and enhance operational oversight.
He noted that the devices would help document police interactions with the public and provide credible evidence during investigations.
“The issue that I know has been a subject of conversation is the issue of body cameras for the police. This is progressive and more and more use of technology to help secure the country,” Omollo said.
The planned rollout comes amid persistent concerns about police misconduct and corruption.
The 2025 report by the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) ranked the police service among the most corruption-prone institutions, fuelling calls for stronger oversight and accountability mechanisms.
Officials say body cameras are expected to provide real-time documentation of police operations, similar to surveillance initiatives introduced in other government agencies, including customs enforcement.
The technology is also intended to protect officers from false accusations while ensuring that misconduct, if any, is captured and addressed.
Omollo said the reforms extend beyond wearable cameras, revealing that the government is also seeking legal amendments to allow security agencies to utilise privately owned CCTV systems.
Currently, access to such surveillance infrastructure is limited by legal and procedural restrictions.
He argued that expanding access to private CCTV networks would strengthen crime detection, improve investigations, and enhance emergency response.
The proposed changes would allow law enforcement agencies to tap into existing surveillance infrastructure, particularly in urban areas where private camera coverage is extensive.
The Interior Ministry is also progressing with remuneration reforms targeting police officers. Omollo confirmed that officers will receive another salary increment beginning July 1, 2026, marking the final phase of a structured pay review implemented across the police services.
“One of the areas that we have been able to deliver on is the remuneration of our police officers across the three services,” Omollo said, adding that the government had implemented the second phase and was preparing for the final adjustment in the upcoming financial year.
Authorities say improved pay is intended to boost morale and reduce vulnerability to corruption, which has long been linked to low remuneration and poor working conditions within the service.
Omollo further disclosed that 55pc of the targeted 500 police reforms have already been implemented, describing the progress as steady.
The reforms cover operational changes, welfare improvements, infrastructure upgrades, and the adoption of technology-driven policing tools.
