Big brother is watching, Boinnet warns criminals

The inspector General of police Joseph Boinnet pays a courtesy call at Standard Group headquarters on Mombasa road Nairobi where he was received by the Groups CEO Sam Shollei (right) and later addressed the Groups Senior Editors PHOTO MOSES OMUSULA

The installation of surveillance cameras in parts of Nairobi and Mombasa is a game changer in fight against crime.

 Inspector General of Police Joseph Boinnet yesterday said the cameras have been operational since last October and are helping security agencies tackle crime including carjackings, mugging and traffic offences.

He cited an incident in which a car was last week stolen from Muguga area in Kiambu and later traced to Pangani in Nairobi, where a suspect was arrested.

"The vehicle was spotted along Waiyaki Way and later traced to Pangani, where the thief had parked it and was in a bar. He was arrested as he jumped onto a motorbike and tried to escape," said Boinnet.

The IG said better results from the cameras are expected once the National Secure Communication Network and Surveillance System is fully functional.

So far, the network has 1,466 cameras in Nairobi and 344 in Mombasa and is expected to extend to other parts of the country.

The network, which is being controlled from the IG's offices at Jogoo House, Nairobi, is connected to monitors that are watched round the clock.

Boinnet was speaking at Standard Group offices in Nairobi, where he met Standard Group Chief Executive Officer Officer Sam Shollei and other top managers.

Shollei said media would continue to be a partner in the fight against crime and urged for cooperation.

He assured Boinnet of the media's continued support in their duties to ensure a safe environment for growth at large. "We urge you to continue investing in technology in the fight on crime because that is way to go," he said.

Boinnet said there are some places where criminals are trying to bring down the cameras.

He added the cameras have been helping police to manage traffic flow in some areas and warned motorists who ignore rules they would soon be pursued and prosecuted.

"The cameras can read your car's number plates. Soon, things are going to change for those misbehaving on the roads," he said.

Boinnet said they migrated their communication system last October and that the types of gadgets are easy to use.

Police officers have been given modern hand-held gadgets to replace the walkie-talkies.