[PHOTO/aopa.com]
If you are tech savvy or a fan of sci-fi films then you are more likely than not familiar with drones. If you are not, they are simply Unmanned Air Vehicles (UAV). Which is simply to say they are remote controlled.
They have a wide range of applications most popular of which is photography and film. Their bird’s eye view provide an unparalleled view of the surrounding.
Of late, they have become popular among security bodies mainly because they make it possible to patrol large areas much faster, in real time and with fewer men. Cities around the world have discovered these usefulness and have integrated them as part of their surveillance strategies.
Nairobi will now join this list of cities after the city council announced that they are looking to acquire two drones. However, they won’t come cheap. One drone is said to set back the city coffers by 4 million. Each will then need a customized software which will cost and addition 1 million bob. This will bring the total to 10 million shillings, only!
The next time you are caught by ‘kanjo’ for parking illegally, think twice before giving them ‘za macho’. The drones will be used specifically to monitor parking lots in the council’s efforts to monitor revenue collection and curb bribery. Jambo pay, the company behind the e-jiji pay platforms estimates that as much as 600,000 Kshs, is lost daily!
I for one am pleased with this tech approach the Governor, Mike Sonko and his deputy, Polycarp Igathe are taking towards fighting corruption. In fact, I suggest replacing a couple more personnel with machines.
My concern however is with the price tag that comes with the drones. I don’t know about you but for the drones to cost that much, they must do more than just spot parking lot bribery.