Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen is set to preside over the launch of a major technological upgrade for the National Police Service on Thursday when he unveils the Multi-Biometric Identification System (MBIS – ABIS Version 5) at the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) headquarters. The event will also feature the handover of an international accreditation certificate to the DCI’s Forensic Evidence Management Unit (FEMU), marking another milestone in Kenya’s security sector reforms.
The launch of the new biometric identification system underscores the government’s commitment to leveraging technology to improve policing, enhance criminal investigations and strengthen service delivery across the National Police Service. The advanced platform is expected to significantly improve the speed and accuracy of identifying suspects, victims and unknown persons through biometric data.
Murkomen said the DCI’s Forensic Evidence Management Unit will receive the prestigious ANSI National Accreditation Board (ANAB) certificate, an internationally recognized accreditation that affirms the unit’s adherence to globally accepted forensic standards. The recognition is expected to strengthen the credibility and reliability of forensic evidence used in criminal investigations and court proceedings.
Alongside the accreditation, the unveiling of MBIS – ABIS Version 5 represents a significant investment in modern policing infrastructure. The upgraded system integrates advanced biometric technologies, enabling law enforcement agencies to process fingerprints and other biometric identifiers more efficiently while improving data accuracy and interoperability.
“We will also launch the Multi-Biometric Identification System (MBIS – ABIS Version 5). This is an important milestone in our police modernization programme,” Murkomen said, emphasizing the government’s continued focus on adopting innovative technologies to improve security operations and public service delivery.
The deployment of the new system is expected to enhance operational efficiency within the National Police Service by reducing identification turnaround times, improving investigative capabilities and supporting faster resolution of criminal cases. Enhanced biometric identification will also strengthen crime prevention efforts by enabling more accurate identity verification and forensic analysis.
The accreditation of the Forensic Evidence Management Unit further reinforces Kenya’s commitment to professionalizing forensic services. Internationally accredited forensic laboratories enhance public confidence in criminal investigations by ensuring evidence is collected, preserved and analyzed in accordance with globally recognized quality management standards.
The dual milestones reflect the government’s broader agenda of modernizing the National Police Service through technology-driven solutions, institutional reforms and international best practices. By combining world-class forensic standards with advanced biometric identification systems, Kenya is strengthening its capacity to deliver efficient, reliable and technology-enabled policing that supports justice, public safety and improved service delivery.
