NAIROBI, Kenya – The National Police Service Commission (NPSC) has revoked all recently approved merit-based promotions initiated by acting Inspector General of Police, Gilbert Masengeli.
The decision, announced on Thursday by NPSC Chairperson Eliud Kinuthia, comes as the country awaits the appointment of a substantive Inspector General.
Kinuthia explained that the commission instructed the acting IG to temporarily suspend the promotions to allow the police force to stabilize under new leadership.
“This will enable the settling down of those promoted and the stabilization of command in the various service formations and units within the NPS,” Kinuthia said during a press briefing.
The NPSC had initially approved the promotion of 1,957 police officers (1,870 males and 87 females), aged between 53 and 59, who had spotless disciplinary records.
The promotions were meant to address complaints of stagnation among officers nearing retirement and aimed to motivate them as they approached the end of their careers.
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The promotions for these officers, based on merit, will remain on hold until further notice.
Despite the suspension for some cadres, the NPSC confirmed that promotions for Gazetted officers would proceed as planned.
A total of 186 officers holding the rank of Chief Inspector of Police (CIP) are set to be promoted to Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) after completing their promotion courses.
Interviews for these officers are scheduled for the end of September.
The commission also outlined the stringent process for officers aspiring to higher ranks, such as Superintendent of Police, which requires passing an examination and completing a six-month Higher Training Course (HTC).
In addition, the commission has approved the promotion of 1,189 Non-Commissioned Officers (NCOs) and Inspectorate officers to various ranks, including Chief Inspector, Inspector, Senior Sergeant, Sergeant, Corporal, and Police Constable.
These promotions are aimed at filling command gaps caused by natural attrition within the force.
Kinuthia emphasized that all promotions were carefully vetted for merit, budgetary implications, and the existing vacancies within the NPS.
The promotions were part of efforts to strengthen command structures across the force.
Moreover, the commission approved the promotion of five Gazetted officers to the ranks of Assistant Inspector General (AIG), Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP), and Superintendent of Police (SP).
The NPSC also greenlit promotions for civilian staff, including fingerprint officers, human resource officers, and administrative personnel.
