KRA Deploys Body Cameras to Boost Accountability at Customs Points

The Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) has rolled out 350 body cameras to customs and border control officers across the country in a move aimed at improving accountability and transparency in tax administration.

The cameras have been deployed at several entry points, including Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA), where tax officials frequently interact with travellers and traders. The initiative is expected to record real-time interactions between officers and members of the public, helping to provide clear evidence in cases of disputes or complaints.

According to the authority, the cameras will help create a verifiable record of engagements between customs officials and taxpayers, which can be used to address concerns around misconduct and improve service delivery.

KRA believes the system will also strengthen oversight by giving managers a clearer view of how officers perform their duties in the field. By capturing interactions as they happen, the authority expects to reduce cases of bribery while ensuring procedures are followed during inspections and other customs processes.

Officials say the recordings will support faster resolution of disputes, as the footage can be reviewed whenever questions arise regarding how an interaction was handled.

The deployment also places Kenya among the first countries in the region to introduce body-worn cameras in tax and customs enforcement, reflecting a growing shift toward technology-driven monitoring in public service.

The move forms part of a wider digital strategy by the tax authority aimed at sealing revenue leakages and improving operational discipline among frontline staff. Over the years, KRA has increasingly adopted technology-based systems to strengthen compliance, enhance efficiency, and support revenue collection.

Authorities say the latest rollout could play a key role in building public trust in tax administration by ensuring interactions between officers and taxpayers are transparent and properly documented.