NAIROBI, Kenya – The National Police Service is set to recruit 10,000 constables in a nationwide exercise scheduled from October 3 to 9, 2025, marking the first such recruitment in four years.
Ahead of the exercise, the National Police Service Commission (NPSC) convened joint recruitment panels at the Administration Police College, Embakasi “A” Campus, for a detailed briefing on the process.
The session outlined the roles and responsibilities of panel members and addressed potential challenges to ensure a smooth and credible exercise.
Inspector General Douglas Kanja urged officers involved in the recruitment to uphold the highest standards of integrity and fairness.
“Let us be fair and above board in the whole exercise. Be fair to the recruits,” he said, emphasizing that avoiding corrupt practices would strengthen public trust in the service.
The IG also noted that the exercise would be closely monitored by multiple agencies to guarantee compliance with established standards.
The four-year delay in recruitment has contributed to a significant shortage of police officers nationwide, a gap authorities are keen to close.
NPSC Chairperson Dr. Amani Komora underscored the importance of transparency and merit-based selection, assuring that the commission would fully support the process.
“The joint approach and the staggered recruitment schedule are designed to ensure both efficiency and credibility,” Komora said.
Vice Chairperson Prof. Collette Suda echoed the message, reminding panelists that Kenyans have high expectations for a process beyond reproach.
NPSC CEO Peter Leley cautioned against malpractice, warning that any violations would carry personal accountability.
Also present at the briefing were Deputy Chairperson Prof. Collette Suda; Deputy IGs Eliud Lagat (Kenya Police) and Gilbert Masengeli (Administration Police); Director of the Directorate of Criminal Investigations Mohamed Amin; and commissioners Edwin Cheluget, Peris Muthoni, and Angeline Siparo.
The exercise has faced controversy, with disagreements among some commissioners and secretariat members over the recruitment criteria.
The matter even reached Parliament before intervention from top political leaders restored the traditional police-panel-led approach.
Authorities are confident that the upcoming exercise will be credible, fair, and transparent, marking a crucial step in addressing Kenya’s long-standing policing gap.
