The Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) has launched body-worn cameras for customs and law enforcement officers at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) in a move aimed at strengthening border security, improving accountability, and enhancing transparency in customs operations.
Speaking during the launch, KRA Commissioner General Humphrey Wattanga noted that the initiative marks a major milestone in the modernization of customs administration and the use of technology to combat illicit trade.
Wattanga observed that the authority plays a critical role in securing Kenya’s borders while facilitating the seamless movement of goods and people across ports of entry.
“Through sustained surveillance and intelligence-led operations, KRA has curtailed illicit trade, including the smuggling of restricted and prohibited goods, counterfeit and substandard products, and narcotic drugs,” he said, adding that illicit trade deprives the government of critical revenue, undermines local industries, and endangers the health and safety of citizens.
To counter these threats, the Commissioner General disclosed that KRA had strengthened collaboration with partner agencies and invested in technology to enhance border security.
“Customs administrations today operate in a complex environment where we must facilitate trade, safeguard revenue, and protect society simultaneously. Data, intelligence, and modern technology are therefore central to our effectiveness,” he affirmed.
Further, Wattanga explained that Kenya’s border landscape requires different operational approaches, noting that some entry points demand heightened vigilance due to security risks, while others require efficiency to support high volumes of legitimate trade.
“Our approach remains adaptive and context-specific to ensure both security and seamless trade facilitation,” he asserted.
In addition, the Commissioner General stressed that digital transformation remains a core pillar of the authority’s customs modernization agenda, with the adoption of technologies such as non-intrusive inspection equipment, integrated customs management systems, and data-driven risk analysis.
According to Wattanga, the introduction of body-worn cameras adds another important tool to enhance professionalism, transparency, and operational integrity.
“These devices will document officers’ interactions with the public, reinforcing accountability while protecting both staff and citizens,” he said.
Wattanga added that the cameras will be particularly useful in high-pressure environments such as airports, ports, and land borders, where they will act as a deterrent against misconduct and aggression while enhancing officer safety.
Similarly, he pointed out that the cameras will improve situational awareness through real-time visual feedback and support informed decision-making during inspections and enforcement operations.
He further noted that the recorded footage will provide credible and secure evidence for administrative processes and dispute resolution.
Importantly, the body-worn cameras will be deployed in patrol and surveillance operations across land, sea, and air borders, as well as during aircraft, vessel, and vehicle boarding operations.
Additionally, they will be used during cargo verification at One Stop Border Posts, transit sheds, Container Freight Stations, Inland Container Depots, and airport cargo areas; passenger baggage inspections; multi-agency enforcement operations; and monitoring of customs-controlled areas such as bonded facilities and Export Processing Zones.
On the other hand, Wattanga emphasized that the deployment of the devices will strengthen revenue protection, enable real-time monitoring from control rooms, and ensure secure storage of audio-visual evidence.
He said the system will also support faster resolution of disputes and smoother processing of travelers and goods while minimizing opportunities for corruption.
In the meantime, the Commissioner General reaffirmed KRA’s commitment to secure borders and efficient trade facilitation, noting that both are critical pillars of national prosperity.
“We will continue investing in modern systems, enhancing risk detection capabilities, and deepening inter-agency cooperation to support intelligence-led enforcement,” he assured.
Also speaking during the launch, the Commissioner for Customs and Border Control, Dr. Lillian Nyawanda, said the initiative demonstrates Kenya’s commitment to adopting modern technology to strengthen service delivery and border management.
She noted that airports such as Jomo Kenyatta International Airport serve as strategic gateways connecting Kenya to global markets, investors, and opportunities, while also requiring strong systems to prevent smuggling and other transnational crimes.
Likewise, Dr. Nyawanda emphasized that the introduction of body-worn cameras will enhance evidence collection during inspections and seizures while promoting transparency in interactions between officers and the public.
“Technology is no longer optional in public service; it is the foundation for transparency, efficiency, and public trust,” she said.
Further, Dr. Nyawanda stressed that the initiative aligns with ongoing government reforms aimed at modernizing public service through digital platforms, automation, and smart technologies to improve efficiency and reduce excessive human interface.
She also commended collaboration among agencies operating within the airport ecosystem, including the National Police Service, the Directorate of Criminal Investigations, the Kenya Airports Authority, and immigration services.
Equally, the Commissioner noted that strong inter-agency partnerships are essential to ensuring that Kenya’s airports remain secure, efficient, and globally competitive transport hubs.
Meanwhile, KRA reiterated its commitment to strengthening systems that facilitate legitimate trade while decisively confronting illicit activities that threaten the country’s economy and security.
As the body-worn cameras are rolled out across Kenya’s ports of entry, the authority expressed optimism that the technology will enhance integrity, improve operational transparency, and strengthen the country’s ability to safeguard its borders while facilitating legitimate trade and travel.
– Nicholas Ochieng and Celestine Lomolijah, KNA
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