The Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) has announced plans to purchase body cameras for customs officers at the border to promote greater transparency in their work and reduce fraud.
The idea behind this move is quite simple: to ensure greater transparency in the operations of customs officers at the airport, seaport, and borders where they come into contact with travelers and importers.
According to the KRA, the body cameras will reduce cases of disagreements and quarrels between customs officials and travelers and importers, particularly when checking baggage and determining taxes to be paid. These cases often turn ugly, with the two parties involved often engaging in a battle of words, with each party denying the allegations of the other in cases where taxes are involved.
The body cameras are expected to record interactions between customs officials and travelers, which will form evidence in case of complaints regarding taxes and inspections carried out at the borders. The move is expected to reduce the time it takes for cases to be investigated, which has been taking weeks in the past.
The plan is expected to curb cases of bribery and other forms of corruption since both parties will be aware that a recording is in progress and will behave well during such encounters. Border points receive a massive number of people on a daily basis, making them among the busiest government services in the country.
Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, which is the busiest in the country, receives about 20,000 passengers on a daily basis or 8.9 million annually, based on 2025 figures.
The plan is in line with the government’s efforts to enhance the revenue base while reducing a growing budget deficit.
