Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen has unveiled a comprehensive package of reforms aimed at transforming Kenya’s police stations into “centres of excellence,” amid mounting public concern over police accountability following the controversial death of Albert Ojwang while in custody.
Speaking at a press briefing on Monday, CS Murkomen outlined a raft of policy measures intended to modernize and enhance transparency within the National Police Service (NPS). Key among the reforms is the mandatory installation of Closed-Circuit Television (CCTV) surveillance systems in all 1,209 police stations across the country over the next two years.
Each station’s CCTV system will be overseen by the Officer Commanding Station (OCS), who will also be required to report any technical failures within one hour. Murkomen revealed that he will be tabling a proposal in Parliament to criminalize the tampering or disabling of surveillance infrastructure.
“The era of blind spots in our police stations is over,” said Murkomen. “These reforms are about restoring trust, professionalism, and discipline in policing.”
In a further step to improve data integrity and accountability, the CS directed all police stations to digitize their Occurrence Books (OBs) within one year. The digital system, he noted, will help secure incident reporting from manipulation or loss.
Additional reforms include the introduction of regular station audits and independent performance reviews, expanded community policing initiatives, and the establishment of continuous professional development training for all officers. Murkomen said every officer will now be required to undergo annual training to maintain high standards of service delivery.
“These measures will be implemented collaboratively with the Law Society of Kenya, religious leaders, and other stakeholders to ensure legitimacy, public trust, and smooth implementation,” he added.
The announcement comes against the backdrop of a deepening controversy surrounding the death of 26-year-old Albert Ojwang, who was found dead after being detained at the Nairobi Central Police Station. The Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) recently confirmed that crucial CCTV footage from the station is missing, sparking allegations of a cover-up.
Conflicting reports have emerged regarding Ojwang’s death. While the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) claimed he sustained fatal injuries after allegedly hitting his head in a cell, medical reports from Mbagathi Hospital, where he was taken, indicate that he was already dead upon arrival, with a cold body and visible bruises on the back of his head.
Murkomen’s sweeping reforms are being viewed as an attempt to restore public confidence in the police service, which has faced increasing criticism over human rights abuses, lack of transparency, and resistance to oversight.
The new measures are expected to be rolled out in phases, with the OCS at every police station taking lead responsibility for implementation and compliance.
Written By Rodney Mbua
