Murkomen Makes Changes to CCTV Use Across 1,209 Police Stations
Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen has initiated sweeping reforms in Kenya’s law enforcement system, making CCTV surveillance mandatory in all police stations over the next two years. This comes in the wake of public outrage following the mysterious death of blogger Albert Ojwang in police custody.
Murkomen emphasized that each station must install fully functional CCTV systems with:
- 24/7 live feeds accessible to the Officer Commanding Station (OCS)
- Automated backups stored off-site to ensure integrity
- Integration with national command centers for emergency audits
“Any deletion or tampering of footage will be treated as a criminal offense,” he announced.
Murkomen Makes Changes to CCTV Use and Occurrence Book Digitization
In tandem with surveillance upgrades, the Ministry of Interior is rolling out the full digitization of Occurrence Books (OBs). This process is expected to be complete within one year and will:
- Eliminate manual entry fraud
- Enable real-time case tracking
- Allow remote audits of police reports
This digitization aligns with Kenya’s broader e-governance strategy outlined in the Digital Economy Blueprint, and is expected to streamline law enforcement workflows.
Murkomen added that OB entries will be timestamped, geo-tagged, and linked to officers’ credentials to reinforce accountability.
Murkomen Makes Changes to CCTV Use to Restore Public Trust
The reforms are not just technical—they are also cultural. Murkomen has ordered:
- Immediate reporting of assault cases within stations
- Mandatory constitutional training for all OCSs
- Community-policing partnerships with civil society and faith-based organizations
“Officers must become part of the communities they serve—not enforcers from above,” he said.
He emphasized that community engagement and regular audits will become the backbone of a rights-based policing model.
Murkomen Makes Changes to CCTV Use Amid Pressure on Top Police Officials
As pressure mounts over the Ojwang case, public calls for accountability are intensifying. Social media campaigns have demanded that Deputy Inspector General Eliud Lagat step aside pending investigations. Protesters are planning nationwide demonstrations.
However, Murkomen has stood firm, stating:
“The Constitution is clear. No one is guilty until proven. We must follow the law.”
Still, he acknowledged the frustrations. “Article 244 sets a high bar for our police service—discipline, professionalism, and respect for rights. These are the standards we must uphold.”
Impact: What Murkomen’s Reforms Mean for Kenyans
The new policies will:
- Enable transparent investigations via video proof
- Help eliminate tampering and false reporting through digital OBs
- Create performance-based recognition for police stations and officers
- Foster collaboration between citizens and police forces
The reforms are expected to be fully funded through coordinated efforts with Parliament and the National Treasury. However, the CS admitted that budget cuts have previously stalled progress, particularly in training and tech rollout.
Summary: Why Murkomen Makes Changes to CCTV Use Matters
- Murkomen Makes Changes to CCTV Use in every police station
- OB digitization to eliminate manipulation
- Legal protection of evidence via law
- Civic partnerships for transparency
- Rights-based policing and public engagement
With these bold steps, Murkomen aims to rebuild public confidence in law enforcement and prevent future tragedies like Ojwang’s. This is not just about surveillance—it’s about a system that works for the people.
