The Kenyan government now wants its police officers to undergo a compulsory Information and Communications technology (ICT) training for a maximum of six months.
The training, according to Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i, is aimed at equipping police officers with basic ICT knowledge so has to be able to use the newly launched National Police Service Information Management System (IMS).
"Police officers must embrace technology to keep pace with the evolution of crime, as we strive to provide first-class service. Change has come, and it requires that we have a responsible and responsive Police Service," Dr Matiang'i said in Kilifi county while unveiling the new police Digital Human Resource Information System which also incorporates administrative procedures, the Occurrence Book (OB) and the Crime Management System.
The IMS will be used to digitise the entire system of the Kenyan Police Service and is expected to boost transparency as all police departments will be integrated in the system.
The IMS also promises to help monitor police performance, activities and feedback, create reports, automate criminal records, human resource and financial activities within the force, as well as generate data that will aid better decision making.
37 percent of reported fraud cases in the country have been as a result of consumers exploiting loopholes and control weakness in organizations to commit fraud while undertaking legitimate transactions which has seen companies lose between Sh500 million ($5M) and Sh5 billion ($50M) in the past two years alone.
According to 2016 World Internal Security and Police Index (Wispi), Kenyan Police is ranked at position 125 out of 127 countries.
"The uniform will enhance better visibility for the officers,” said President Uhuru as he unveiled the all Persian blue uniform at the Kenya School of Government.
The government also merged the Kenya Police Service with the Administration Police in an effort to eliminate waste, duplication and overlapping of duties.
