Murkomen Orders Mandatory CCTV Installation in All Police Stations Nationwide

Interior CS announces two-year deadline for surveillance systems as part of transparency drive

Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen has directed that all 1,209 police stations across Kenya must install CCTV surveillance systems within the next two years as part of sweeping reforms aimed at enhancing transparency and accountability within the National Police Service.

Speaking to journalists on Monday, Murkomen revealed that while some police stations currently have CCTV cameras, many of these installations were informal setups that lacked official approval from the National Police Service.

The new directive will standardize surveillance systems across all stations nationwide.

“All police stations must be equipped with CCTV surveillance and a backup system within two years to enhance transparency and accountability,” Murkomen stated during the press briefing.

The Interior CS announced plans to introduce legislation in Parliament that would criminalize any tampering with CCTV systems, underscoring the government’s commitment to preventing evidence manipulation.

Under the new framework, each Officer Commanding Station (OCS) will bear responsibility for overseeing the management and functionality of their station’s surveillance systems.

To ensure system integrity, Murkomen mandated that any malfunctioning equipment must be reported within one hour through the proper chain of command.

Additionally, all stations will be required to maintain external backups of surveillance footage to prevent data loss or potential manipulation.

The announcement comes amid heightened scrutiny of police conduct following recent allegations of evidence tampering at Nairobi Central Police Station.

The Director of Public Prosecutions recently told Milimani Court that Central Police Station OCS Samson Taalam allegedly interfered with crucial evidence related to the death of Albert Ojwang in police custody, including hiring a technician to tamper with surveillance footage.

This CCTV mandate represents part of a broader reform agenda designed to restore public confidence in Kenya’s law enforcement agencies. The initiative addresses longstanding concerns about police accountability and transparency that have dominated public discourse in recent years.

The two-year implementation timeline suggests the government recognizes both the scale of the undertaking and the urgency of the reforms. With over 1,200 police stations requiring standardized surveillance systems, the project will likely require significant financial resources and coordination across all counties.

The success of this initiative will largely depend on adequate funding, proper maintenance protocols, and strict enforcement of the proposed anti-tampering legislation. If implemented effectively, the mandatory CCTV systems could mark a significant step toward modernizing Kenya’s police service and rebuilding public trust in law enforcement institutions.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​