Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen has announced a wide-ranging policy reform framework aimed at transforming the National Police Service (NPS) to align with constitutional principles, enhance professionalism, and rebuild public trust.
Speaking at a press briefing, CS Murkomen said the reforms are informed by both past and present incidents of police excesses, and are designed to ensure compliance with Article 244 of the Constitution, which calls for the highest standards of professionalism, discipline, and accountability within the service.
CCTV Surveillance to Be Mandatory in All Police Stations
The government will make it mandatory for all 1,209 police stations across the country to be fitted with CCTV surveillance systems within the next two years. The footage will be managed by the Officer Commanding Station (OCS), and any system faults must be reported within one hour through the official chain of command.
Murkomen disclosed that while some stations already have CCTV cameras, these were installed independently and not under the supervision of the National Police Service.
“We will also propose legislation in Parliament to criminalize the tampering of CCTV systems,” he said, adding that the surveillance will include external backup to safeguard integrity.Digital Occurrence Book Rollout
In a move to modernize police reporting, Murkomen announced the full digitization of occurrence books (OBs) within one year.
The digital system, part of the government’s Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda, will make incident reporting tamper-proof and easily traceable.
Strengthening Community Policing
Every police station will be required to adopt community policing models to foster stronger collaboration between officers and local communities. Murkomen said this integration is expected to enhance accountability and improve service delivery at the grassroots level.
Independent Audits and Performance Reviews
The Interior Ministry is also introducing a policy framework for regular independent audits of police operations, including how officers use resources and follow established procedures.
The audits will be conducted in partnership with civil society groups, religious leaders, and other stakeholders. Police officers and stations demonstrating excellence will be publicly recognized and rewarded.
“We are shifting focus from enforcement-only metrics to community relations and ethical standards,” said Murkomen.Continuous Training and Professional Development
All officers, starting with OCSs, will be required to undergo annual professional training based on constitutional standards.
Murkomen said a new curriculum is being developed and will be rolled out in collaboration with the National Treasury and development partners.
Specialized officers will also be recruited to inject modern policing skills and professionalism into the service.
Police Stations to Become Centers of Excellence
CS Murkomen emphasized the need to transform police stations into “centers of excellence” as the first point of public contact for law enforcement.
He underscored that the OCS will be the principal officer accountable for the implementation of reforms at the station level, describing them as the “ultimate officers in charge of enforcement.”
“The police station is to crime reporting what the polling station is to elections — the final and most crucial point,” he noted.Call for Mutual Respect Between Police and Citizens
While advocating for reforms and accountability within the police force, Murkomen also called for reciprocal responsibility from the public. He raised concern over a growing number of incidents where officers have been attacked while on duty, and condemned recent cases of mob justice, banditry, and illegal possession of firearms.
“We must foster mutual respect between police officers and the public. Just as officers are held accountable, citizens too must act within the law,” he said.Budget and Support for Implementation
Murkomen concluded by assuring Kenyans that the Interior Ministry will prioritize budgetary allocations to support the reforms and engage development partners to ensure successful implementation.
“These reforms mark a turning point for the police service. We are committed to creating a modern, ethical, and people-centered police force,” he said.
