The National Police Service (NPS) plans to recruit cadet officers this year, as announced by Interior Principal Secretary Raymond Omollo. The recruitment will occur in the latter half of 2025, two years after the previous hiring. Omollo stated that this initiative follows recommendations made by the National Taskforce on Police Reforms, led by Chief Justice Emeritus David Maraga.
He mentioned that the recruitment was initially stalled due to financial issues. “We are implementing reforms in our police service, with the reintroduction of cadet officer hiring being a primary focus, ensuring that not all new recruits enter at the same level,” the PS noted.
The decreasing police-to-civilian ratio has heightened security risks for the public. Despite this shortage, Kenya has pledged to contribute to the Multinational Security Support Mission in Haiti. President William Ruto has committed to sending an additional 600 officers to supplement the existing 383 on the ground. The first group of 300 officers arrived in Haiti in October 2024, with the remaining officers expected by the end of November.
In his address during the 79th session of the United Nations General Assembly in September 2024, Ruto highlighted funding and equipment shortages as significant challenges for the mission. He urged international partners to provide the necessary support. The mission aims to deploy 2,500 officers by January 2025 to help restore peace and order.
