Kenya to Install CCTV in All Police Stations, Propose Law to Criminalize Tampering
NAIROBI — All 1,209 police stations across Kenya will be equipped with CCTV surveillance systems within the next two years under a government directive aimed at boosting accountability and transparency within law enforcement.
The announcement came during a national security briefing, where the Interior Ministry confirmed the plan will be backed by proposed legislation. The law will criminalize tampering with police surveillance equipment, marking a significant shift in how the government monitors operations at police stations.
“It shall be mandatory to equip police stations with CCTV surveillance to enhance transparency and accountability,” the statement read. The directive outlines a strict implementation timeline and a chain of responsibility.
The Officer Commanding Station (OCS) at each police station will have full custody of the surveillance system. The OCS will be required to ensure the cameras remain functional at all times. Any fault or malfunction must be reported within one hour through the official chain of command.
To safeguard data and ensure continuity, the CCTV infrastructure will include external backup systems. This layer of redundancy is designed to prevent data loss in case of technical failure or sabotage.
The Interior Ministry also confirmed that the proposed legal amendments will be submitted to Parliament for debate. Once passed, the new law will make interference with CCTV systems a criminal offense, carrying penalties that are yet to be specified.
The decision follows increased scrutiny of police conduct, particularly concerning cases of abuse in custody and public calls for greater transparency in security operations.
Security experts say the measure aligns with global trends of monitoring law enforcement agencies through surveillance. “Having constant, tamper-proof video oversight inside police stations is a major step toward ensuring officers are held to legal and ethical standards,” said one analyst familiar with regional security reform policies.
Human rights advocates welcomed the move but emphasized that surveillance alone is not enough. “This must be part of a broader framework of police reform, including independent oversight, proper investigation of misconduct, and legal accountability,” one rights group said in a statement.
The surveillance rollout will begin in high-traffic and high-risk areas before being expanded nationwide. Funding for the project will be detailed in the upcoming national budget proposals.
If fully implemented and enforced, the measure will place Kenya among a small number of African nations with comprehensive internal surveillance inside police facilities.
