Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) has introduced body-worn cameras for Customs and Border Control officers in a major step aimed at improving transparency and accountability during inspections at airports, seaports, and land border points across the country.
The initiative is designed to address long-standing disputes that often arise between customs officers, travellers, and importers during baggage inspections and tax assessments. Such disagreements have historically complicated investigations and delayed the enforcement of customs duties.
Technology Designed to Capture Real-Time Interactions
The new body-worn camera units deployed by KRA consist of two integrated components. A front-facing camera captures high-definition video and photographs, allowing officers to record their exact perspective during inspections and interactions with travellers.
A secondary rear-facing camera enables video communication and image transmission back to headquarters. This feature allows supervisors to monitor situations in real time and provide immediate support when necessary.
According to Humphrey Wattanga, the rollout marks a significant milestone in the modernization of services at Kenya’s ports of entry.
“This initiative reinforces our commitment to transparency, professionalism, and secure borders as we continue to modernize service delivery for the public,” Wattanga said.
He noted that disputes at border points have frequently turned into situations where officers and travellers offer conflicting accounts, making investigations difficult.
“For too long, ‘your word against mine’ has been an uncomfortable reality at border points. Disputes dragged on, trust eroded, and officers performing their duties correctly had no reliable way to prove it,” he added.
High Passenger Traffic Driving the Need for Technology
Border control points in Kenya handle massive volumes of travellers daily, increasing the complexity of customs operations. For instance, Jomo Kenyatta International Airport processes approximately 20,342 passengers each day, amounting to more than 8.9 million travellers annually as of 2025.
With thousands of interactions occurring daily between customs officers, travellers, traders, and clearing agents, KRA says manpower alone is insufficient to monitor every engagement effectively. The body cameras are expected to close accountability gaps that could enable tax evasion or misconduct.
Faster Resolution of Complaints
KRA says the cameras will create verifiable digital records of inspections and tax enforcement activities. When disputes arise, supervisors will be able to review recorded footage to determine exactly what occurred during an interaction.
Previously, complaints involving travellers or officers could take weeks to investigate. With recorded evidence, KRA expects many of these cases to be resolved significantly faster.
The authority also believes the cameras will deter bribery and other forms of graft, since both officers and travellers will be aware that interactions are being documented.
Improving Professional Standards at Border Points
Customs is one of the most visible public service departments, interacting daily with international passengers, traders, and logistics agents. According to KRA, these engagements strongly influence perceptions of Kenya’s governance, fairness, and efficiency.
The recorded footage will also be used internally as a training tool. KRA plans to analyze the recordings to identify operational gaps, refine inspection procedures, and improve officer conduct at busy border facilities.
“Public trust is not a soft metric in customs and trade,” the authority said in a statement. “It determines whether a border facilitates economic growth or frustrates it.”
Addressing Privacy and Data Protection Concerns
KRA has emphasized that the use of body cameras will comply with Kenya’s data protection laws, including the Data Protection Act, 2019.
The agency says recorded footage will be processed under lawful data management principles and used strictly to support transparency, accountability, and proper documentation of official border interactions.
Part of a Wider Digital Enforcement Strategy
The body-camera rollout forms part of a broader technological modernization program by KRA aimed at strengthening revenue collection and closing tax leakages.
The authority’s digital enforcement toolkit now includes:
- 350 handheld verification devices
- 20 external surveillance cameras
- 60 mobile data-collection gadgets
- 2 petabytes of data storage infrastructure at Times Tower
The move comes as the Kenyan government intensifies efforts to boost tax compliance amid rising public spending and widening budget pressures.
By introducing body-worn cameras and other digital monitoring tools, KRA hopes to create a more transparent, accountable, and efficient customs system while strengthening public confidence in border management and revenue collection.
