Kenya launches center to facilitate modernization of police service

NAIROBI, Nov. 9 — Kenya on Friday launched a state-of-the-art center that will be tasked with overseeing modernization of the police service in the light of sophisticated security threats like cyber crime, terrorism and human trafficking.
Fred Matiang’i, cabinet secretary for interior and coordination of national government, said the commissioning of the new center, called Internal Affairs Unit, marks a critical milestone in the ongoing police reforms that revolve around training, digitization of the service, improved remuneration and customer care.
“The launch of this new center will boost transformation of national police service and overall national security,” said Matiang’i.
“We need to build on the Internal Affairs Unit to make the police force more competent, accountable and responsive to needs of the citizens,” he added.
He said the newly launched hub for modernization of police force is an integral component of a reforms package unveiled by President Uhuru Kenyatta in September this year.
Matiang’i said the reforms package focuses on digitization of police operations, career mobility, medical cover, house allowance and changing the organizational culture of the service to ensure it is people-centered.
He said the Internal Affairs Unit will help promote ethical behavior within the police service and ensure it plays a key role in creating a friendly investment climate in the country.
“The Internal Affairs Unit will also be responsible for investigating ethical breaches like corruption and bribery among officers and recommend appropriate action. A competent and professional police force will win the trust of citizens and investors,” said Matiang’i.
He said the state has enhanced oversight of the police service to weed out malpractices that have undermined its capacity to execute its core mandate of maintaining law and order.

Xinhua