Nairobi
August 22, 2025

NEW REPORT AVAILABLE NOW

Virgginia Laborão

Nairobi Round-up Report

Banner

In early 2023, Edgelands Nairobi began a comprehensive study on the historical development of surveillance and policing in Kenya’s capital. The resulting diagnostic report traces the evolution of these systems from the colonial period to the present, highlighting how early structures shaped enduring patterns of limited cooperation between law enforcement and the public. It also examines Kenya’s growing investment in surveillance infrastructure, the challenges facing policing institutions, and the rise of cybercrime against a backdrop of socioeconomic pressures.

This report outlines several considerations for policy and governance:

  • What non-technological approaches could complement digital policing in addressing the underlying causes of crime?
  • What measures could reduce youth vulnerability to criminal activity?
  • What frameworks can help ensure that the use of surveillance by both public and private actors respects civil liberties and complies with data protection laws?

By unpacking the complexities of Nairobi’s surveillance ecosystem, it provides a valuable foundation for policymakers, researchers, and civil society actors seeking to balance security imperatives with democratic principles.

Read the report