Kenya: A new command centre to co-ordinate traffic operations and crime management using Close Circuit Television (CCTV) cameras in Nairobi is ready for use.
The centre, based at the office of the Inspector General of Police at Jogoo House was tested by President Uhuru Kenyatta yesterday, marking a milestone in the fight against crime in the city.
The project was launched last December.
The low-key event saw the President also commission more police cars to be used for operations in Nairobi. He was seen holding police pocket phones and monitoring the screens at the centre. Journalists were not allowed in.
The Sh437 million integrated camera and traffic lights system is the first step in the new battle to bring sanity to a chaotic transport sector and address a number of crimes.
It has 80 screens and a number of telephone lines, which the officers manning it will be using to co-ordinate operations in the city, officials said.
Over 51 cameras have been installed within the city, enabling live video streaming and recording for future necessities.
Outgoing Inspector General of Police David Kimaiyo, Interior Principal Secretary Monica Juma, public service boss Joseph Kinyua and deputy inspectors of general of police Grace Kaindi (regular) and Samuel Arachi were present.
Kimaiyo said the new traffic lights will improve traffic management and monitor inter-connected traffic signals.
The surveillance system has also been fitted with smart cameras that will record faces of people.
He explained that the cameras will be on for 24 hours and urged motorists to familiarise themselves with traffic regulations and strive to obey them.
The project will be replicated in other urban towns in the country.
In addition, the camera system will be used as a crime-fighting tool and where a vehicle is suspected to have been involved in criminal activity, it will have its registration plates circulated by police.
The areas covered include Kenyatta National Hospital, Country Bus Station, Muthurwa Market, Kirinyaga Road, Gikomba and Machakos among other major roads.
The cameras are also positioned at the city's Kencom House Bus stage, Ambassadeur bus stop, Railways terminus, Tea Room, Odeon Cinema, KICC, Afya House, Macmillan Library, Gill House, City Market, GPO, Cross Road, OTC, and Nyayo House among other locations.
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