The Kenyan government is set to introduce a new mobile application allowing citizens to report crimes directly to the National Police Service (NPS), a move aimed at increasing transparency and combating corruption within the force. The announcement was made by Interior Principal Secretary Dr. Raymond Omollo on Tuesday, November 4, 2025, during an interview on Ramogi FM, positioning the app as a cornerstone of the government's broader police modernization agenda under President William Ruto.

The primary goal of the application is to create an immutable digital record of public complaints, thereby tackling the long-standing issues of evidence tampering and the manipulation of the physical Occurrence Book (OB) at police stations. "We are soon introducing a mobile app that allows citizens to report incidents, particularly road-related cases, directly online," PS Omollo stated, emphasizing its role in taming corruption among rogue traffic officers and motorists.

This initiative is intrinsically linked to the nationwide rollout of a Digital Occurrence Book (OB) system. "Most stations now use Occurrence Books (OB), but we are transitioning to a Digital OB system to enhance transparency and reduce case manipulation," Omollo explained. According to announcements from the Ministry of Interior earlier in the year, the digital OB system is anticipated to be operational from April 2025, which suggests the citizen-facing app could be launched in a similar timeframe, although a specific date for the app's release has not been officially provided.

A History of Digital Policing Efforts

This is not the first time Kenyan authorities have turned to technology for law enforcement. In 2017, the National Crime Research Centre (NCRC), then under the Attorney General's office, launched the 'NCRC Kenya' app. That application allowed users to report incidents as a "witness" or "victim" and upload evidence such as photos, audio, and PDF files. It was designed to capture the estimated 70% of crimes that go unreported due to public fear or mistrust of visiting police stations.

The Ministry of Interior has not yet clarified the relationship between the upcoming app and the existing NCRC platform—whether it will be an upgrade, a replacement, or a separate, parallel system managed directly by the National Police Service. The official name and the full scope of features for the new application are also DETAILS UNCONFIRMED, with official statements focusing primarily on its application for traffic offenses.

Part of a Broader Modernization Strategy

The digital reporting tool is a component of a significant, multi-billion shilling investment in police reform. The government has committed to a comprehensive modernization program for the NPS, with Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja and Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen overseeing various aspects of the transformation. This includes digitizing police records, introducing instant traffic fines, and potentially equipping officers with body cameras to enhance accountability.

The reforms are also supported by legislative changes, including the proposed Independent Policing Oversight Authority (Amendment) Bill 2025 and the National Police Service (Amendment) Bill 2025, which aim to strengthen oversight and streamline police operations. PS Omollo noted that these measures are designed to create a "friendly, trustworthy, and reliable" police service that aligns with public expectations.

While the initiative promises to empower citizens and enhance police accountability, its success will depend on effective implementation, robust data security, and a concerted effort to build public trust in the digital platform. With past attempts at similar technologies yielding mixed results, observers and the Kenyan public will be watching closely to see if this new chapter in digital policing delivers on its ambitious goals. FURTHER INVESTIGATION REQUIRED on the official launch date, name, and full feature set of the application.