National Police Service has unveiled an ambitious security modernization strategy ahead of the 2027 General Election, with plans centred on advanced surveillance technology, body-worn cameras, digital policing systems and the recruitment of 10,000 new officers.
Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja said the reforms are aimed at strengthening election security, improving accountability and enhancing operational efficiency within the police service.
Appearing before the National Assembly Departmental Committee on National Administration and Internal Security, Kanja said preparations for the 2027 elections had already begun through officer training, infrastructure expansion and deployment of modern security systems.
“We are set and ready to prepare because we have done it before. We did it during the 2022 elections, and the outcomes are there. We are going to do it again in 2027,” Kanja said.
10,000 New Police Recruits Under Training
Kanja revealed that at least 10,000 police recruits are currently undergoing training across various police institutions to strengthen personnel capacity ahead of the elections.
He urged Parliament to support additional recruitment and increase operational funding to improve preparedness.
“Training is very important. We need all our officers to be prepared on matters of elections, including public order management. Support from this committee will go a long way in helping us enhance our preparedness,” he said.
The Inspector General emphasized that the police service has a constitutional responsibility to provide a secure environment for Kenyans to exercise their democratic rights peacefully during elections.
IC4 System to Replace Existing Surveillance Technology
At the centre of the modernization plan is the Integrated Command, Control, Communication and Coordination system, commonly known as IC4, which will replace the ageing IC3 surveillance framework currently in use.
According to Kanja, the new digital platform will introduce advanced policing technology, including digital Occurrence Books (OBs), body cameras for officers, automatic traffic fine systems and expanded CCTV surveillance.
“The adoption of technology in policing, including body cameras, will provide evidential value and can also exonerate officers when falsely accused,” Kanja said.
He added that the automatic traffic fine system and upgraded CCTV infrastructure would reduce direct interaction between motorists and traffic officers, helping curb corruption and improve service delivery.
“We are headed in that direction. In the next three to four months, we should be having the digital systems with us,” he stated.
Police Hospital and Infrastructure Expansion
The Inspector General also defended plans to operationalize the National Police Service Level Four Hospital at Mbagathi, saying the facility would provide specialized treatment for officers injured while on duty.
“Our officers operate in dangerous environments across the country, including border points and conflict-prone areas. This hospital will ensure they receive the best specialized treatment befitting the service they render to Kenyans,” Kanja said.
He noted that medical personnel recruited for the hospital are currently undergoing training at Kenyatta National Hospital as the service awaits full budgetary allocation.
The committee was also informed that police infrastructure had expanded significantly over the past three years.
Bernice Lemedeket said the number of police stations receiving Appropriations in Aid support had increased from 575 to 1,142, while patrol bases had grown from 42 to 83.
“We have made tremendous improvement, but we still need to cover the remaining stations,” she said.
However, she warned against politically-driven establishment of police stations, saying expansion should focus on sustainability and quality service delivery.
“Setting up a proper model police station requires infrastructure, human resources, and operational funding. We need strategic expansion as opposed to political expansion so that we improve the quality of service delivery,” she said.
Pending Bills and Civilian Staff Shortage
Lemedeket further revealed that the service still requires more than 10,000 civilian staff to support police operations, with only about 2,000 civilians recruited so far.
She said the shortage continues to affect administrative functions including land management and financial operations.
On pending bills, she explained that the Kenya Police Service and the Directorate of Criminal Investigations continue to face financial pressure due to inherited debts and operational costs.
“KPS carries nearly 70 per cent of National Police Service operations, which strains their operational budget, while DCI’s allocation is only enough to sustain current operations and not clear historical pending bills,” she said.
Push for Discipline and Accountability
Kanja also praised the Internal Affairs Unit for strengthening accountability within the police service through investigations into misconduct and collaboration with the Independent Policing Oversight Authority.
“The Internal Affairs Unit has really helped the National Police Service on matters touching on discipline and investigations. We continue to support it by increasing personnel and expanding offices to regional areas,” he said.
Members of the National Assembly committee pledged continued engagement with the police service on funding and reforms aimed at enhancing election preparedness ahead of the 2027 General Election.
