This archive report was first published on 4 August 2020.
On August 4, 2020, Kenya's Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang'i presided over the launch of a new digital Occurrence Book (OB) system at Buru Buru Police Station in Nairobi.
Director of Public Prosecutions Noordin Haji and Director of Criminal Investigations George Kinoti put aside their differences to showcase a united front during the event.
"We do not have to be seen together for people to know we are working together," said Mr Haji during the function.
The new digital OB system is designed to make the work of the Director of Public Prosecutions easier by providing electronic evidence in court.
Under the new system, officers at the police station level will key in public complaints electronically and issue OB reports electronically.
Police station commanders will be required to assign cases electronically, and the system will allow the Inspector General to monitor cases and performance of officers.
The new system also includes a feature where police officers will take photos of suspects before they are booked into police cells, aimed at addressing cases of torture or assault.
The digital OB has been customised to include details of police officers such as leave days and working shifts, and access levels have been set to ensure that Deputy Inspector General Edward Mbugua can monitor matters related to his officers.
According to DPP Haji, the integration of the police OB with other electronic systems will redefine policing in Kenya and provide a holistic approach to security.
