NAIROBI, Kenya — Thousands of Kenyans turned up for a nationwide police recruitment exercise after the High Court temporarily lifted an earlier injunction, allowing the process to proceed.
The recruitment — which aims to bring in 10,000 new police constables — was due to resume after Justice Bahati Mwamuye stayed the conservatory orders issued on November 10, 2025.
Those orders had halted the drive following a legal challenge by activist Eliud Matindi.
According to court documents, the judge clarified that the suspension was lifted only temporarily, pending further hearings on the matter.
The controversy dates back to an earlier judgment by Justice Helen Wasilwa, who ruled that the National Police Service Commission (NPSC) lacks the constitutional authority to carry out recruitment, training, deployment, and dismissal of police officers.
She held that those functions fall exclusively under the operational command of the Inspector‑General of Police, as enshrined in Article 245 of the Kenyan Constitution.
Justice Wasilwa also issued a permanent injunction preventing the NPSC from continuing with the recruitment process or implementing its September 19, 2025, legal notice, ruling it null and void.
Despite the legal high stakes, recruitment sites across the country saw a surge in applicants. Many young Kenyans had already traveled long distances, hoping to secure a spot, reflecting high demand for public-sector jobs. Observers say the scale of turnout underscores not only the need for employment, but also the public’s trust in police reform efforts.
Inspector‑General Douglas Kanja, whose office announced the recruitment on November 4, 2025, welcomed the lifting of the court order. His office has vowed to run the exercise transparently, calling for rigorous vetting to build a professional and accountable force.
However, critics argue the legal conflict between the NPSC and the IG’s office points to deeper systemic issues in Kenya’s security governance, especially over the division of powers.
The court has scheduled further mention of the case on January 22, 2026, when compliance with its orders will be reviewed
