NAIROBI, Kenya – A long-running dispute over who controls the careers of Kenya’s uniformed police officers has entered a new phase after Inspector General Douglas Kanja approved the promotion of 1,948 officers following a Court of Appeal ruling on police management powers.
The National Police Service (NPS) announced on Monday, October 19, that the officers whose promotions had been pending would advance to various ranks after completing the required promotional courses and meeting the prescribed conditions.
The decision follows the dismissal of appeals by the National Police Service Commission (NPSC) and the Law Society of Kenya against a 2025 judgment that restricted the commission’s authority over uniformed officers. The Court of Appeal delivered its ruling on October 16, 2026.
The promotions place the spotlight on the practical consequences of the court’s interpretation of the constitutional division of responsibilities between the Inspector General and the commission.
Court Clarifies Who Controls Uniformed Police Careers
The dispute centred on whether the NPSC could recruit and manage uniformed police officers under its constitutional mandate over human resource functions within the service.
In October 2025, the Employment and Labour Relations Court ruled that the commission’s recruitment regulations for uniformed officers were unconstitutional. The NPSC and the Law Society of Kenya subsequently challenged the decision, arguing that the commission retained authority over recruitment and other personnel matters.
However, a three-judge Court of Appeal bench comprising Justices Patrick Kiage, Jamila Mohammed and Jessie Lesiit dismissed the consolidated appeals on October 16, 2026.
The judgment upheld the lower court’s interpretation that the Inspector General’s independent command over the National Police Service extends to personnel decisions involving sworn officers, including employment, assignment, promotion, suspension and dismissal.
The judges distinguished uniformed officers from civilian employees working in administrative, technical, medical, accounting, information technology and legal support roles within the service. The commission retains responsibilities relating to civilian personnel.
The ruling provided the legal backdrop for Kanja’s latest action on promotions that had been awaiting resolution.
Nearly 2,000 Officers Set For Advancement
According to the NPS announcement, all 1,948 officers affected had completed the required promotional training and met the conditions for advancement.
The service said the promotions take effect accordingly, although it did not publish a breakdown of the number of officers promoted to each rank.
Kanja congratulated the officers and urged them to approach their new positions with professionalism, integrity and diligence.
He emphasised that promotion carries additional responsibility, calling on the officers to exercise their authority fairly, remain accountable and respect the rule of law.
The NPS said the move was expected to strengthen operational efficiency and improve service delivery as part of ongoing institutional reforms.
Dispute Began With Police Recruitment Regulations
The legal contest dates back to September 2025, when the NPSC advertised vacancies for police constables and issued recruitment regulations outlining the selection and appointment process.
Former Kilome MP John Harun Mwau challenged the commission’s actions, arguing that recruitment and management of uniformed officers fell under the National Police Service and the Inspector General’s independent command.
On October 30, 2025, the Employment and Labour Relations Court ruled in favour of the challenge and declared the commission’s recruitment regulations unconstitutional. The commission and the Law Society of Kenya appealed, setting the stage for the consolidated proceedings concluded this month.
The Court of Appeal’s decision has broader implications for the administration of police careers because it clarifies which institution exercises authority over key personnel decisions involving uniformed officers.
Accountability Remains A Constitutional Requirement
Although the ruling clarifies the chain of authority over uniformed police personnel, it does not remove the constitutional obligations governing the conduct of the service.
The Inspector General and officers under his command remain subject to the Constitution, including requirements concerning human rights, fairness and the rule of law.
In its announcement, the NPS urged the newly promoted officers to uphold those principles as they take up their additional responsibilities.
The service said the promotions formed part of efforts to build a professional, efficient and responsive police force focused on public service.
The immediate outcome is the approval of advancement for 1,948 officers. The wider institutional significance lies in the court’s clarification of who controls personnel decisions for uniformed police officers and how that authority is to be exercised within Kenya’s constitutional framework.
