NAIROBI, Kenya – The Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) has raised concern over the low turnout recorded during the national police recruitment exercise held on November 17, 2025, attributing the shortfall to weak communication and qualification hurdles.
In a brief issued after monitoring the one-day exercise, IPOA said many potential applicants were unaware that the recruitment had resumed after a court lifted earlier orders halting the process.
The Authority added that the minimum KCSE requirement of D+ also locked out a significant number of youth.
“Looking ahead, IPOA recommends improved logistical arrangements by the NPS and better communication of eligibility criteria to enhance public awareness and participation in future exercises,” said Chairperson Issack Hassan.
Despite the low general turnout, IPOA observed strong interest from National Youth Service (NYS) graduates.
Many, however, were turned away for lacking discharge certificates — a mandatory document for final verification.
The Authority also faulted the limited 8:00 am to 5:00 pm window, noting that some centres, including NYS headquarters, worked past midnight to clear queues.
It recommended that future exercises run for at least two days to ease pressure on both applicants and recruiting officers.
Last-minute venue changes, lack of complaint desks and absence of formal redress mechanisms also inconvenienced applicants, IPOA said.
Still, the oversight body concluded that the recruitment was largely transparent and professionally conducted, with officers providing constructive feedback to unsuccessful candidates — a practice it said strengthened the integrity of the process.
IPOA, however, criticised the lack of basic support for applicants, including drinking water, even as recruitment teams received adequate welfare provisions.
The Authority also noted ongoing gender balance challenges, with some units not allocating slots for women.
Placement of successful candidates into the GSU, APS or KPS branches remained discretionary, guided by fitness levels, available vacancies and individual preferences.
IPOA said it will release a comprehensive report once nationwide monitoring of the exercise is complete.
