The government has revived plans to procure and equip police officers with body cameras - this time, focusing on their use during public protests.
Prime Cabinet Secretary (PCS) Musalia Mudavadi announced during an interview on TV47, stating that the body cameras would help ensure accountability and transparency in how security forces handle demonstrators.
Mudavadi noted that recent protests, which have been marred by claims of excessive force by police, had necessitated the need for clear and unbiased documentation of events on the ground.
“The intention is to equip police with body cameras to identify the real provocateurs in demonstrations. This will provide clarity on who instigates violence - whether it is the protesters or officers,” Mudavadi said.
He added that while the cameras would be a valuable tool in curbing both abuse and misinformation, the procurement would require significant investment and must go through a proper budgetary process.
“This initiative needs to be systematic and properly funded. It is not just about buying equipment but ensuring it is integrated into a broader accountability framework,” he stated.
Mudavadi also defended the police, stating that the government has consistently invested resources to ensure they receive professional training. He further called on officers to uphold professionalism in the execution of their duties.
Further, he criticised unnamed individuals whom he accused of attempting to blackmail the President through efforts aimed at orchestrating an unconstitutional change of leadership.
“There are people who have attempted, and they continue to attempt, to engineer unconstitutional processes of trying to get to power,” Mudavadi stated.
Meanwhile, the Prime Cabinet Secretary echoed sentiments expressed by ODM leader Raila Odinga, calling for national dialogue to address the pressing issues facing the country.
“The solution is this: if we do not talk to each other, we will graduate to talking at each other, and then from talking at each other to fighting with each other. So the logical thing is to have dialogue,” he noted.
Mudavadi urged stakeholders to engage in a constructive debate on the structure and format of the proposed talks, warning that the alternative would be far more painful and undesirable.
