Nominated Senator Karen Nyamu has scored a significant legislative victory after the Senate approved her motion calling for the installation of CCTV cameras in all police stations across the country.
The motion, which drew strong support from senators across political divides, is being celebrated as a major step toward transparency, accountability and improved security within Kenya’s law-enforcement system.
During debate in the Senate, Nyamu argued that many cases of misconduct, delayed response and unclear police procedures occur because activities inside police stations are rarely monitored.
She insisted that installing CCTV cameras would protect both civilians and officers by providing an objective record of events, especially during arrests, interrogations and conflict situations.
According to her, modern policing requires clear evidence-based systems, not only to deter unethical behaviour but also to support officers who face false accusations while carrying out their duties.
Several senators backed the motion, noting that CCTV cameras have proven effective in other government institutions, commercial spaces and public areas.
They highlighted frequent complaints from citizens regarding harassment, lost files, unexplained detentions, and mishandled cases, arguing that cameras would greatly reduce such incidents.
At the same time, others pointed out that officers operating in high-risk areas would feel safer knowing that their interactions and operations are properly recorded.
The motion’s approval now places responsibility on relevant state agencies to develop a plan for nationwide installation, maintenance and data management.
This will include prioritizing busy police stations, creating secure storage systems for footage and ensuring that officers are trained to operate within a monitored environment. Transparency and strict rules on who can access recorded footage will also be necessary to prevent abuse of the system.
Senator Nyamu expressed her gratitude to colleagues for supporting what she described as a long-overdue reform in the policing sector. She stated that Kenya cannot continue relying on outdated systems while expecting modern standards of justice and accountability.
According to her, the use of cameras will significantly reduce human rights complaints, strengthen investigations and help restore public trust in the police service.
Members of the public have reacted with optimism, with many saying the reform could mark the beginning of cleaner, more accountable policing.
However, some observers caution that for the initiative to succeed, proper budgeting, reliable power supply, and secure digital infrastructure will be essential. They also emphasize the need for safeguards to ensure that the footage is not tampered with or misused.
As the plan moves to the implementation stage, all eyes will be on law-enforcement agencies to see how quickly and effectively they adopt the technology. For Senator Nyamu, the approval of her motion represents a major step in what she describes as her broader mission to modernize Kenya’s justice and security systems.
By Newshub