Inspector General of Police Hillary Mutyambai on Monday, June 22, engaged Kenyans on Twitter in a Question and Answer session that saw him address various concerns.
Among other things, Mutyambai revealed measures the National Police Service was taking to leverage technology in transforming the police service; including the adoption of digital Occurrence Books (OBs) at police stations, body cameras, dashboard cameras and paperless fines.
On body cameras, which many have called for to provide evidence in cases of alleged police brutality and extra-judicial killings, the IG reiterated his backing for their adoption.
"Having body cams is progressive. We’re set to adopt it once we have sufficient resources. The police changed from force to service with the view to have a friendlier and more professional service.
"Admittedly, some may not be reformed but we are retraining officers," he wrote in response to one Kenyan.
Mutyambai also revealed that the introduction of digital OBs had begun with a pilot project in Kasarani, Nairobi.
He argued that digital occurrence books would lead to increased efficiency and less corruption at police stations.
"This is one of my flagship projects in a bid to reform service delivery at the National Police Service. We did a pilot project in Kasarani which was successful and now we await rolling out nationwide this coming financial year," he noted.
Mutyambai also disclosed progress in the creation of a legal framework to facilitate cashless payments of fines for minor offences.
He was responding to a Kenyan who questioned why traffic police continued to extort bribes when options such as mobile money could facilitate easy payment of fines.
"This is a very good idea and the Police Service is in the process of drafting a legislation for Parliament’s approval that will enable paperless payment of fines," Mutyambai stated.
In addition, he urged Kenyans to continue reporting cases of police brutality and to forward videos to the Internal Affairs Unit (IAU).
He sought to assure Kenyans, however, that they had embarked on retraining of all police officers across the country.
"We encourage all citizens to keep reporting cases of police brutality. I am aware some of these cases occur at night and others in remote parts of Kenya.
"Forward videos to us. I depend on you to rein in on errant officers even as we embark on retraining all officers," he stated.
