The world’s most stable and prosperous economies share one foundational pillar: an effective, professional, and trusted police force. From the United Kingdom’s New Scotland Yard to Japan’s National Police and the Gendarmerie of France, law enforcement agencies play a vital role in ensuring national stability and economic growth.

In Africa, Kenya’s National Police Service (NPS) has earned praise as one of the continent’s most established forces. Yet, when compared to global benchmarks, there remains a significant gap in efficiency, public trust, and technological integration. However, a wave of reforms announced by the Kenyan government may usher in a new era for policing in the country.

Bringing Policing Into the Digital Age

One of the most urgent challenges facing the Kenyan police has been reliance on outdated, manual systems. With over 1,100 pages of standing orders that have barely evolved since the colonial era, the police service has struggled to adapt to modern realities.

Currently, most crime reports in Kenya are recorded in handwritten occurrence books (OBs), which are vulnerable to manipulation and difficult to track across jurisdictions. This has enabled serial criminals to escape detection simply by committing offenses in different regions.

Recognizing this, Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen recently announced that all OBs will be digitized within the next year. This move will allow real-time access to records, streamline investigations, and create a tamper-proof database of incidents nationwide.

“This is a long-overdue reform. Digitizing occurrence books will ensure transparency, efficiency, and accountability in our police force,” said Murkomen during a Senate session on June 11, 2025.

Surveillance Upgrades and the Role of Technology

In a complementary move, Murkomen also directed that all 1,209 police stations across the country be equipped with CCTV surveillance systems within the next two years. These systems will include external backups to ensure evidence is securely stored even in the event of local tampering or data loss.

However, as experts note, “Technology is only as effective as the people operating it.” Without a parallel investment in training and capacity-building, these reforms risk becoming underutilized.

Training: The Core of Modern Policing

To ensure officers can fully harness modern tools and techniques, the government has launched a Continuous Professional Development Training initiative. The program will start with Officers Commanding Stations (OCSs), who are required to undergo annual refresher courses focusing on constitutional standards and evolving community expectations.

International policing expert Otto Adang of the Netherlands Police Academy once said, “The best police are the ones who learn continuously.” Kenya seems to be taking that wisdom to heart.

Additionally, Murkomen suggested that Kenya’s training programs should incorporate international benchmarking with countries like Germany, Canada, and Australia, known for their effective community-based and intelligence-led policing models.

Community Policing: Bridging the Trust Gap

A major issue that has eroded public confidence in the police is the perceived hostility between law enforcement and the communities they serve. In response, the government has ordered the nationwide implementation of community policing models.

This approach emphasizes partnership with residents, local leaders, civil society, and faith-based organizations to prevent crime collaboratively and build mutual trust. Regular town halls, joint patrols, and neighborhood forums are among the strategies to be adopted.

Auditing, Accountability, and Performance Metrics

To further entrench professionalism, the police service will now undergo regular audits and performance reviews, conducted in partnership with external watchdogs. The aim is to identify gaps, recognize excellence, and expose misconduct or systemic inefficiencies.

These reforms are especially timely in the wake of national and global demands for better policing standards and transparency. With security being foundational to investment, development, and human rights, the transformation of Kenya’s police service could have far-reaching socio-economic effects.

A New Era for Kenya’s Police Force

While the current reform package is not exhaustive, it represents a decisive step in the right direction. As Kenya positions itself as an East African powerhouse, law and order will play an increasingly pivotal role in securing that future.

Indeed, if implemented effectively and sustained through bipartisan political will, the changes underway could reshape the identity of the Kenyan police from an institution associated with fear and bureaucracy to one seen as a partner in community development and national progress.