NAIROBI, Kenya, Mar 10 – The Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) has deployed 350 body-worn cameras at border points across the country to enhance transparency, accountability and professionalism in customs operations.
The cameras will be used by officers under the Customs and Border Control department to support evidence collection and documentation of interactions between officers and the public.
Speaking during the launch at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, KRA Commissioner General Humphrey Wattanga said the system will help improve service delivery and integrity in border management.
“The presence of real-time recording is expected to enhance accountability, ensure transparency and foster mutual trust between officers and the public,” he said.
Wattanga noted that the adoption of the cameras goes beyond technology and represents a broader cultural shift aimed at strengthening professionalism and public confidence in the authority.
The system is supported by four data storage servers, integrated docking stations and a central command centre that will manage and monitor recorded footage to ensure proper oversight and secure storage.
The devices are also equipped with real-time GPS tracking, LTE connectivity for live streaming and secure recording capabilities, which KRA says will enhance supervision of field operations.
Speaking at the event, Principal Secretary for the State Department for Aviation and Aerospace Development Teresia Mbaika said the government remains committed to using technology to strengthen border management and facilitate legitimate trade.
“When technology, integrity and inter-agency collaboration come together, we create borders that are not only secure but also efficient for trade and travel,” she said.
KRA Commissioner for Customs and Border Control Lilian Nyawanda said the system will help address challenges faced during enforcement operations, particularly where investigations lack photographic or video evidence.
Customs officers will be required to wear the cameras during passenger clearance at international airports, cargo verification at seaports and inland container depots, and operations at One Stop Border Posts, as well as during surveillance and border patrols.
The project was implemented with support from the World Bank under broader initiatives aimed at strengthening coordinated border management.
