CID boss Ndegwa Muhoro says the strategic plan has mapped out the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats of the crucial department of the criminal justice system/FILE
NAIROBI, Kenya, Jun 9 – Kenyans can expect quality services from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) following the launch of a five year strategic plan.
The strategic plan provides a uniform guide on how detectives will be carrying out investigations, a move that has been hailed as a landmark achievement in the ongoing police reforms.
CID boss Ndegwa Muhoro says the strategic plan has mapped out the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats of the crucial department of the criminal justice system.
Among the threats identified in the plan include terrorism, money laundering, cyber crimes, political interferences with service delivery, unequal access to opportunities among others.
“It was developed through a very consultative process right from the start where representation was ensured in all our formations and county establishments; as well as external stakeholder engagement,” he said.
“Upon its completion, a comprehensive sensitization programme was carried out covering all the counties and formations. This was to ensure that all the officers of the directorate identify with the plan and own it.
I’m confident and without fear of contradiction that all our officers across the country are clear on the vision of the directorate and what is expected of them.”
He said the directorate, with the ongoing reforms, will be able, “to reclaim our rightful space and be at that place where confidence and trust of the public become the hallmark of our dependability.”
Among the directorate’s achievements in various fields, Muhoro says, include the automation of the criminal registry through Automated Palm and Fingerprints Identification System (APFIS) project.
Already, he said the DCI has converted more than two million criminal records into digital files, meaning searching has switched from manual to electronic, “improving our efficiency in searching criminal records.”
“In addition, the application of Police Clearance Certificate can now be done online through the eCitizen portal – after processing, the certificate is uploaded on the same portal for the applicant to download and print.”
The Integrated Ballistics Identification System has also been installed and is helping in expediting the process resolving of cases where firearms have been used in the commission of crimes, he said.
The directorate is also in the process of capturing ballistic signature of all state-owned firearms and those of civilians licensed to hold firearms to contain misuse of the same in committing crimes.
Other forensic units that have benefitted from recent automation and equipping projects according to Muhoro include Document Examination Unit, Crime Scene Support Services, and Cyber Crime Laboratory.
The National Forensics Laboratory as a flagship project under the security sector reforms is expected to be handed over by the end of this month.
“The next phase of this project will entail equipping, 10 staffing of competent officers, training, accreditation of the facility to global standards, and devolving forensic services to counties and sub-counties,” he said.
Interior Cabinet Secretary Joseph Nkaissery, speaking during the launch said the report comes at a timely period when the country is facing serious security challenges.
“The development of the Strategy could not have come at a better time than this when the region is yearning for a competitive security sector with reliable and secure high-quality services accessible to all stakeholders,” he said.
He said the plan provides a sophisticated broad view in fighting crime.
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