MOMBASA, Kenya — Members of Parliament have endorsed the use of surveillance technology to monitor police conduct, piling pressure on the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) to strengthen accountability frameworks ahead of the 2027 General Election.
The push emerged during a joint session between IPOA’s board and the National Assembly Departmental Committee on Administration and Internal Security held in Mombasa on Monday, where lawmakers backed tools such as body cameras and drones but warned against abuse and weak safeguards.
Committee chair Gabriel Tongoyo asked IPOA to clarify its position on adopting emerging technologies within the National Police Service, signalling Parliament’s growing interest in tech-driven oversight.
“From where you sit as IPOA, what is your position on the intended use of body cameras and drones by the police?” Tongoyo posed.
MPs broadly supported the proposal but urged caution on its application. Teso North MP Oku Kaunya said drones could improve surveillance in planned operations but may have limited value in spontaneous incidents.
“In cases of organised criminal activity, drones can be deployed effectively. But in isolated incidents, such as goon attacks, by the time you deploy a drone, the damage has already been done,” Kaunya said.
Homa Bay Town MP Peter Kaluma raised concerns about the psychological effect of constant monitoring on officers, warning it could slow response in high-risk situations.
“We must balance human rights with necessary police intervention to save the state. If officers feel constantly watched, we risk creating police lethargy,” he said.
IPOA Commissioner Annette Mudola Mbogo defended the selective use of surveillance tools, saying drones are best suited for planned public order management.
She stressed the need for a clear legal and policy framework to safeguard privacy and comply with Kenya’s Data Protection Act.
“These technologies must operate within a framework that addresses surveillance concerns and protects personal data,” she said, adding that IPOA supports body cameras, CCTV systems, and digital recording tools to strengthen evidence collection.
IPOA Director of Inspections Munene Mugambi said cost remains a major barrier, revealing that a single drone costs about Sh3 million. He said deployment would be intelligence-led and focused on high-risk scenarios.
“This is not just about identifying misconduct. It is also about recognising officers who conduct themselves professionally, based on verifiable evidence,” Mugambi said.
Lawmakers also questioned the effectiveness of current policing strategies, citing rising violence, delayed responses, and gaps in adopting modern tools.
Nakuru Woman Representative Liza Chelule urged IPOA to provide forward-looking risk assessments ahead of the 2027 polls.
“What is not clear is what you predict will happen before and after the elections. That is how we prepare and mitigate,” she said.
On accountability, Kaluma raised concerns over compensation for victims of police brutality, warning of potential fraud without strict verification mechanisms.
“We risk having people who were not injured benefiting instead of real victims. How actively is IPOA verifying claims?” he asked.
IPOA Chief Executive Officer Elema Halakhe said the authority has submitted verified data on deaths and injuries to relevant agencies, noting the process depends on consent from victims’ families.
He linked fluctuations in police conduct to political activity, warning that tensions are likely to rise as campaigns intensify.
“As we approach the campaign season, we anticipate an increase in encounters between police and the public,” Halakhe said.
He also acknowledged growing concerns over delayed police response, saying IPOA is investigating whether the trend stems from fear of accountability or weak command structures.
Saku MP Dido Rasso questioned how IPOA defines legitimate use of force in politically charged environments, warning that Kenya’s electoral history points to heightened tensions in 2027.
“What is your projection based on this history?” he asked.
IPOA officials said they are modelling election-related scenarios using past data to improve preparedness, signalling a shift toward predictive oversight in policing.
