This archive report was first published on 28 September 2019.
Published on September 28, 2019, the National Police Service in Kenya has outlined plans to spend Sh9.2 billion over the next three years to develop an information system that will include a centralized crime and criminals database.
Once actualized, the system will give police access to citizen data, enabling them to improve their efficiency in dealing with crime. Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang'i emphasized the need for legislative reviews to determine whether the police can keep DNA data of offenders.
According to Matiang'i, the data that the DCI currently has will transition to the digital platform, including the registration numbers of firearm holders. This will enable investigating officers to complete investigations faster.
The Interior ministry is building a new public data architecture that will be used by the police. Matiang'i explained that the modernization plan will make it easier for officers to deal with traffic-related offenses and to have actual data of individuals to profile them.
The modernization plan is part of the priority areas outlined in the National Police Service's four-year strategic plan, which was launched at the Kenya School of Government Campus in Lower Kabete.
