As the Nyumba Kumi initiative enters its second decade of operation, it is quickly taking new shape to ride the digital wave sweeping across Kenya.
Nyumba Kumi, a programme launched by then-President Uhuru Kenyatta, is built on the idea of ten neighbouring households watching over each other and sharing information.
At its core is the goal of improving trust, strengthening community bonds and giving police timely intelligence on crime and security threats.
The initiative started in 2013 and has grown rapidly, with reports indicating it has reduced crime by between 30 and 40 per cent. What began as a neighbourhood watch system has now morphed into what many call Digital Nyumba Kumi, blending traditional vigilance with technology.
To keep up with changing lifestyles, the model has increasingly gone digital. Residents now use WhatsApp and Facebook groups to report suspicious activity, alert each other during emergencies, and organise neighbourhood patrols.
A study of the model’s performance in Suna West, Migori County, found that the majority of respondents, 54.7 per cent, agreed that social media platforms improve communication between residents and law enforcers.
The shift has made Nyumba Kumi clusters more accessible to younger Kenyans, who are more likely to check their phones than attend traditional barazas. Chiefs and local administrators are also active in these groups, making it easier for them to follow up on issues raised.
“Most of the respondents, 53.4 per cent, agreed that online platforms enhance public awareness of security issues,” notes the report titled Determinants of Nyumba Kumi Community Policing Initiative on Maintenance of Law and Order in Migori County.
Mulika, a digital platform launched to complement community policing, has added another layer. Through the free SMS code 988 and its mobile app, Kenyans can anonymously report crimes, graft or emergencies.
The reports are automatically sent to county security bosses, including police commanders and the National Intelligence Service, ensuring a swift response.
Nyumba Kumi groups are now combining their WhatsApp and Facebook chats with Mulika’s reporting tools. In some estates, suspicious behaviour flagged in a neighbourhood group is forwarded via Mulika to senior officers for immediate action. This integration of informal digital chats with an official reporting system has created what some call a “virtual police station”.
Officials say the integration has strengthened trust and made citizens more active partners in security.
With over 176,000 reports logged on Mulika in just two years, the platform has demonstrated an appetite for digital solutions. In fact, respondents in the Migori study said reporting cases autonomously is among the reasons for adopting new technology.
As the country seeks to reduce crime to encourage more foreign investments, the government has insisted Nyumba Kumi remains part of its security structure.
