Recruitment of 10,000 Police Constables thrown into disarray after stoppage petition is filed before court
The planned recruitment of 10,000 Police Constables by the National Police Service Commission (NPSC) into the National Police Service (NPS) has been thrown into disarray after a public interest group, Sheria Mtaani led by advocate of the High Court Shadrack Wambui filed a petition in court seeking to halt the process.
The advocate is seeking for conservatory orders to be put in place barring the planned hiring of 10,000 police officers, arguing that the exercise should not proceed while a constitutional dispute over payroll management within the National Police Service (NPS) remains unresolved.
In the application, filed group insists that conducting the recruitment now would compromise an ongoing case that questions whether payroll management belongs to the Inspector General or the National Police Service Commission (NPSC).
The petitioners contend that payroll management is not a routine clerical task but a central human resource function adding that it directly affects recruitment, promotions, transfers, suspensions, interdictions, and disciplinary actions.
“Any change to its custody or management has far-reaching implications,” their court papers read in part.
In their filing, they have cautioned that going ahead with the recruitment before the issue is settled would interfere with the judicial process.
“If recruitment proceeds before this question is determined, payroll entries for the 10,000 recruits will be made under an authority whose constitutional mandate is in dispute, thereby prejudicing the role of the Commission,” they have argued.
The fresh court action comes days after the National Police Service and the NPSC publicly declared they would put aside their disputes and work together in the interest of Kenyans.
The Commission plans to conduct the recruitment of 10,000 police constables online under new 2025 regulations designed to promote transparency and curb corruption.
For the first time in Kenya’s history, the exercise will be conducted entirely online, with applicants required to submit their details virtually. Out of the 10,000 slots, 4,000 have been reserved for National Youth Service (NYS) graduates.
The Commission said the new framework is guided by fairness, professionalism, and merit.
It aims to seal loopholes that previously allowed bribery and favouritism in the recruitment process.
