Kanja announces 5,000 police officers set to be recruited as three-year freeze ends
He warn that without adequate personnel, resources and tools to combat these crimes, the impact of police work is often limited
The National Police Service (NPS) is set to recruit 5,000 officers next month ending a three-year freeze caused by financial constraints.
Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja said on Sunday that the exercise will help address a shortage of 5,000 officers and move the service closer to the well below the United Nations’ recommended police-to-population.
“We expect the recruitment exercise to take place around September or October. Remember, for the last three years we haven’t enlisted new officers to beef up our numbers as we aim to attain the United Nations’ recommended ratio of 1:450,” Kanja said.
The IG noted that police are currently overstretched, dealing with a range of challenges including cattle rustling, banditry, terrorism threats, homicides, carjackings, violent robberies, human trafficking, drug trafficking, smuggling and traffic offences.
He warned that without adequate personnel, resources and tools to combat these crimes, the impact of police work is often limited.
The last recruitment was conducted in 2022, with officers graduating the following year. During the three-year pause, many officers left the service through dismissal, resignation, retirement or death.
In its report on the four protests held on June 12, 17, 25, and Saba Saba Day on July 7, the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) also called on the IG to seek funds to recruit more officers, noting that those deployed to deal with the demos were overwhelmed in some situations such as when goons looted businesses or torched buildings.
According to data from the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics, the total number of police officers, comprising both the Kenya Police and Administration Police, fell by 3.6 per cent from 108,013 in 2023 to 104,080 in 2024.
In efforts to seal corruption loopholes during the recruitment, the National Police Service Commission (NPSC) has developed a digital recruitment system.
“We have undertaken all necessary steps to ensure the next recruitment is conducted digitally. This will help seal corruption loopholes within the recruitment process,” NPSC Chief Executive Officer Peter Leley previously said.
According to Leley, the Police Recruitment System is a secure, digital platform designed to transform how officers are enlisted.
However, Kanja explained that the new system will not be used in the upcoming recruitment as it must undergo further procedures before roll-out.
“We shall not use the digital system; it has to go through public participation, including benchmarking, if necessary, before roll-out to get everything right,” he said.
Last Thursday, Interior Principal Secretary Raymond Omollo urged young Kenyan men and women to take advantage of the opportunity once the recruitment dates are officially announced.
