The government of Kenya has given telecommunications service provider Safaricom the go ahead to begin roll out of the KSh14.9 billion state security surveillance system project, after the two parties signed a deal.
Following the deal, Safaricom can now embark on the National Surveillance, Communication and Control System in Kenya’s capital Nairobi and Mombasa and will also see the installation of cameras in the two cities to provide real-time footage for police use.
According to the terms in the agreement, the telecom will undertake roll out of the security system project at its own cost and later hand over operations of the system to the National Police Service.
First announced in July and faced with controversies, the system once completed, will be operated by the National Police Service under the directions of a core project team comprising senior officers from the service.
The project is set to start after it received the relevant approvals required to complete the installation and management of a communication and surveillance system to help combat crime.
“Over the next 18 months, Safaricom 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, said Bob Collymore, CEO Safaricom.
Also as part of the five-year agreement, the Kenya government will use the service at no cost for the first year of operations and will only start paying for the solution starting 2016, through a series of annual instalments.
With the country witnessing several insecurity incidents over the year, Cabinet Secretary for Internal Security, Ole Lenku said the communications and surveillance project will help enhance security in the country and provide operatives with capability to monitor and deter crime.
