BY ESTHER MUTURI
The government has digitized the police Occurrence Book as part of its transition to incorporate over 5,000 services online.
Currently, 76 police stations in and around Nairobi have had their OBs digitized so far.
Deputy Inspector General of Administration Police Noor Gabow told President William Ruto they plan to roll out the exercise to other parts of the country to ease reporting and recording of crimes and eliminate manipulation cases at police stations.
He said the exercise is moving on smoothly and that they have trained most personnel on how to handle it.
He also stated that the exercise will guarantee transparency and accountability in police operations at the station level. The reports entered will be subject to monitoring by ward, county, and regional commanders, the Inspector General, and other top commanders.
Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki said the public has been raising concerns about the disappearance of files at police stations, hence the digital OBs will help to keep tabs on government records.
The digital OB was conceptualized to eliminate the disappearance of case records since complaints, statements, and details of criminal activities made at police stations will not be edited.
He said this after the unveiling of digital government services dubbed Gava Mkononi at the KICC on Friday by President William Ruto.
The transition to digital services is meant to ease access to online services, with Kindiki’s Interior docket including four services with an ultimate goal of eliminating corruption by cutting out physical interactions and brokers.
In line with enhancing accountability to police officers, the ministry will also incorporate a police complaints system and civilian review of law enforcement officers on the Gava Mkononi platform.
Citizens can use the platform to file complaints against any officer to the Independent Policing Oversight Authority, while at the same time, the State agency can post the progress of investigations.
Any member of the public can file a complaint against police via the Ipoa application, with the authority expected to post the progress of investigations into the deaths and injuries caused by the officers online.
Kindiki said they are also working to include the processing of good conduct by the Directorate of Criminal Investigations.
He said that Progressive strides are being taken towards enhancing the processing of police clearance, with several capacity adjustment measures targeted at streamlining and expediting the issuance of the certificates by the DCI.
The National Authority for the Campaign Against Alcohol and Drug Abuse has also included its services on the platform where one can access licenses for the importation and exportation of alcoholic drinks online.
Rehabilitation centers will also be accredited by the authority digitally, with those struggling with addiction also expected to request virtual and in-person training through the same platform.