The National Police Service (NPS) has launched a comprehensive strategy to combat corruption within its ranks. This initiative includes establishing toll-free hotlines and digitizing key services to enhance transparency and accountability. The announcement, made on Friday, May 23, marks a significant effort to address institutionalized bribery, extortion, and abuse of office that have historically plagued the Kenyan police force.

Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja and police spokesperson Muchiri Nyaga have emphasized the importance of this multipronged approach. The NPS has designated emergency lines 112, 999, and 911 to also serve as corruption reporting hotlines, allowing Kenyans to report police corruption anonymously without fear of retaliation. Additionally, the Internal Affairs Unit’s Anonymous Reporting System (ARIS) and the #FichuaKwaDCI tip line (0800 722 203) provide further confidential channels for exposing misconduct.

The NPS is actively digitizing its services to eliminate face-to-face interactions that often facilitate bribery. Processes such as the payment of cash bail, issuance of police abstract forms, and traffic fines are being transitioned to automated platforms. This move aims to reduce opportunities for corruption by minimizing direct contact between officers and the public.

In collaboration with the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC), the NPS is conducting a thorough review of its internal systems to identify and address vulnerabilities that allow corruption to thrive. This review will scrutinize procurement loopholes and case handling irregularities, ensuring that all processes adhere to the highest standards of integrity. The Internal Affairs Unit is already receiving and reviewing complaints daily, with whistleblowers guaranteed protection through confidential tip lines.

Inspector General Douglas Kanja has underscored that commanders will be held personally accountable for any conduct that compromises professionalism and erodes public trust. This measure reinforces the commitment to rooting out corruption at all levels of the NPS.

Further enhancing transparency, the upcoming police recruitment process will be conducted online. This digitization aims to close loopholes previously exploited for bribery and favouritism, ensuring that only qualified candidates are selected. Technology will play a crucial role in maintaining the integrity of the recruitment process.

The National Police Service Act stipulates that corruption is both a criminal offense and a breach of disciplinary code, which the NPS is committed to addressing head-on. Internal accountability mechanisms, including Quality Assurance Directorates and the Internal Affairs Unit (IAU), have been established to strengthen anti-corruption efforts.