Makeshift, a subsidiary of Nairobi-based Nailab has developed Kaarada for Kenyans to crowdsource security information.
It was designed in memory of the victims of the recent Garissa terror attack in Kenya, “the app was built as a result of the killing of 147 Students in the Garissa University attack,” the developers say on the product description bit on Play Store.
Kaarada, means “stay alert” in Kiswahili. The app allows users report suspect activities around them. Users can attach pictures and videos while uploading a report and can also access the contact lines of the Kenyan police. The app also maps out the crime hotspot and indicates the location of the nearest police station.
(Kaarada allows users report security concerns and get in touch with security operatives.)
Signup is via the user’s mobile number. Having logged on, users can monitor crime reports that are on the app and also share their own reports. The app is quite straightforward to operate, the user only needs to click on the “report it” button to file reports in the well defined categories such as missing persons, pickpocket, robbery, break in, car-jacking e.t.c. After reports are made, the reporter can update the initial report, so the information at any point in time is reflecting the reality on ground.
Kaarada went live two days ago and is now available on the Google play store, currently in beta.
Photo Credit: Wikipedia
