Police urged to use Artificial Intelligence in future recruitments

Kitutu Central recruiting officer during police recruitment at Gusii Stadium, on March 24, 2022. [File, Standard]

The recruitment of police officers in the country may involve the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) technology in future, if the government adopts a recommendation by Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen. 

While making the suggestion to the National Police Service, Murkomen said, implementation of the recommendation would ensure efficiency in the recruitment process.

“The next police recruitment should focus more on dealing with AI technology. We cannot continue recruiting in the same manner,” he said. 

“It is important that we get professionals who specifically support the National Police Service to be able to combat these challenges,” he added. 

Murkomen made the remarks on Wednesday during the showcasing of finalist of  six-month AI Hackathon 2025 programme organised by National Intelligence and Research University in Nairobi. 

“Maybe you should also help get one or two people who are AI-competent, technology-competent,” the CS told the NIS Director-General, Noordin Haji, suggesting that “every cabinet secretary, every office, if you want to function, you must have a young person” who posses expertise in AI. 

This, he said, would also help protect the country’s digital assets even as the government grapples with continued threats on public digital platforms, in attacks that disrupt critical services. 

At the same time, he revealed that the State is undertaking a procurement process to establish a digital occurrence book (OB) “so that you do not have to go to a police station to report a crime.”

“You can report it in the comfort of your house or at the scene.”

He said, this will help the government map out areas where crimes are dominant with ease.