NAIROBI, Kenya — Kenya is set to introduce artificial intelligence into police recruitment and operations as part of sweeping reforms aimed at modernising the country’s security architecture and improving accountability.
Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen said the government is prioritising the integration of advanced technologies within the National Police Service to better address emerging security threats and enhance service delivery.
Speaking at the finals of an AI hackathon hosted by the National Intelligence Research Unit (NIRU), Murkomen signalled a shift away from traditional policing systems, including manual processes that have long defined police operations.
“We must strengthen the interface between security and AI. The skills required now are for a global stage. Police recruitment must now include AI; we need to infuse professionals who can help the service combat modern threats,” said CS Murkomen.
A key component of the reforms is the planned phase-out of the traditional police Occurrence Book (OB), a handwritten ledger used for recording incidents, replaced by a digital reporting system.
Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja said the transition will enable Kenyans to report incidents remotely, reducing the need for physical visits to police stations.
“In the next three months, all of us will be able to reach our police stations from the comfort of our homes, hotels, and anywhere we will be. Digitization is the key,” said Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja.
The digital occurrence book is expected to streamline reporting, minimise data loss associated with manual records, and improve response times.
Beyond reporting, the reforms include the rollout of digital surveillance systems and smart policing tools across major urban centres. Authorities say procurement is already underway for CCTV infrastructure and digital gadgets to support the transition.
Officials argue that the move will help curb corruption and reduce cases of police misconduct by creating a verifiable digital record of interactions between officers and the public.
Murkomen emphasised that the technology will serve as a deterrent against abuses of power, while also improving operational efficiency.
However, security experts have cautioned that the integration of artificial intelligence into policing must be accompanied by robust safeguards to protect civil liberties.
Director General of the National Intelligence Service, Noordin Hajj, acknowledged the risks, stressing the need for proper regulatory frameworks.
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“We must effectively integrate AI into national security, but regulating the environment will be critical,” said Hajj.
The reforms come amid broader global trends where governments are increasingly adopting AI-driven tools for law enforcement, including predictive policing, surveillance analytics, and automated reporting systems, developments that have sparked debate over privacy and data protection.
The announcement follows growing calls in Kenya for police reforms, particularly around transparency, efficiency, and accountability.
As innovators showcased locally developed solutions during the NIRU hackathon, officials signalled that the future of policing in Kenya will rely heavily on technology-driven systems.
For authorities, the message is clear: the next phase of law enforcement will not only depend on manpower, but also on data, digital infrastructure, and artificial intelligence.
