The government has signed an agreement with Safaricom that will see the roll out of a National Surveillance, Communication and Control System, for Nairobi and Mombasa.
This effectively means that Safaricom can now embark on the process of building the system that also includes the installation of cameras in the two cities to provide real-time footage to the National Police Operations Centre. It will cost the tax payer Sh15 billion.
Interior and Coordination of National Government Cabinet Secretary Mr Joseph Ole Lenku said the project would greatly enhance security in the country by providing security agents with the capability to monitor and deter crime.
“In July, the National Assembly Committee on Administration and National Security approved the award of the project to Safaricom, setting the stage for today’s announcement. We are keen to see the project go live as soon as possible,” said Amb. Monica Juma, Pricipal Secretary in the ministry.
Safaricom CEO, Bob Collymore said it will take slighly over a year to complete the project.
“Over the next 18 months, we will build an intelligent solution that harnesses the power of technology to enable law enforcement officers effectively coordinate and deploy their resources in response to threats to national security,” he said.
Upon completion, the system will be operated by the National Police Service under the expertise of a core project team comprising senior officers from the National Police Service and communications experts.
Under the terms of the five-year agreement, Safaricom will undertake the completion of the Sh14.9 billion project (exclusive of taxes) at its cost and thereafter hand over the operations of the system to the National Police Service.
