By Kepher Otieno - Reporter
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Kenya, 4 May 2026 - Members of Parliament have backed the use of technology to monitor police conduct during public demonstrations, signaling a decisive shift toward digital oversight in Kenya’s security operations.
The idea traces to a high-level meeting in Mombasa between the National Assembly Departmental Committee on Administration and Internal Security and the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA).
Legislators used the session to press for a more robust accountability framework, urging IPOA to strengthen its oversight mechanisms while embracing emerging tools such as drones, body cameras, and integrated digital surveillance systems.
Committee Chairperson Gabriel Tongoyo set the tone with a pointed call for reform, challenging IPOA to clearly define its position on the integration of technology into policing.
Tongoyo said the country could no longer rely on traditional oversight methods in an era where protests are fast-moving, highly visible, and often contested in real time.
“Technology is no longer optional—it is central to accountability,” he said.
“We must move towards systems that provide real-time monitoring, verifiable evidence, and transparency in how law enforcement operates during public demonstrations.”
He emphasized that the ministry’s broader policy direction is anchored on modernization—leveraging digital tools not only to document police conduct but also to protect both officers and civilians.
Under the proposals discussed, officers deployed during protests could be equipped with body-worn cameras, while aerial surveillance through drones would provide a wider operational view.
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Live digital feeds and data systems would allow oversight agencies to track events as they unfold, reducing reliance on delayed reports and disputed accounts.
Tongoyo argued that such measures would strengthen public confidence in policing by ensuring that “what happens in the field is recorded, reviewed, and, where necessary, acted upon without delay.”
But he was also keen to stress that the adoption of technology must be guided by clear legal and ethical frameworks.
“Accountability must go hand in hand with the protection of rights,” he said.
“As we embrace innovation, we must ensure that these tools are not misused, and that the constitutional freedoms of Kenyans—particularly the right to assemble and express themselves—are safeguarded.”
The renewed push comes amid growing scrutiny of police conduct during recent demonstrations, with lawmakers acknowledging that gaps in oversight have fueled public mistrust.
For Parliament, the message is unmistakable that the future of policing will be digital. The challenge now lies in ensuring that technology serves as a tool for justice—rather than control.