Wamuzi News Ke
In a dramatic development that threatens to shake Kenya’s security architecture ahead of the 2027 general elections, a court has suspended the planned recruitment of 10,000 police constables initiated by the Douglas Kanja-led National Police Service (NPS).
In response, the Inspector-General (IG) has urgently petitioned the High Court to overturn the conservatory order, warning that delaying the drive could leave the country exposed to rising crime and instability.
The legal showdown stems from a petition by activist Eliud Matindi, who challenged the legality of the recruitment notice issued on 4 November 2025, arguing that the role of recruiting police officers lies with the National Police Service Commission (NPSC) under the law.
A High Court judge has since issued a conservatory order staying the recruitment pending a full hearing set for January 2026. Meanwhile IG Kanja has filed a “certificate of urgency” application at the Milimani court, arguing that the freeze threatens to paralyse police operations amid a three-year hiring freeze, wave of retirements and resignations, and escalating crime.
The IG’s filing insists that the Labour Court recently upheld his authority under Article 245(4)(c) of the Constitution to appoint, promote, suspend and dismiss members of the NPS — a ruling he says renders the petition by Matindi moot.
He warns that unless the recruitment moves forward quickly, the NPS will lack the manpower to train and deploy new officers ahead of the security-sensitive election period.On the flip side, the petitioner argues the recruitment process is unlawful because it bypasses the NPSC’s constitutional and statutory mandate under Section 10(2) of the NPSC Act.
If the matter proceeds unchecked, the petitioner contends, the recruitment could produce appointments that are void and open the service to further legal challenges.The scale of the recruitment merits attention: 10,000 new officers would represent one of the largest bolsters to the force in recent years.
However, analysts note that with the freeze in place, the force’s capacity is under strain — particularly in regions where understaffing, paired with surging crime, has raised alarm among residents and security experts alike.
In its ruling, the court emphasised the significance of the constitutional questions raised — specifically, whether the IG alone may conduct recruitment for the NPS or whether the NPSC must be fully involved.
The matter now awaits expedited hearings early next year, but the conservatory order remains in force, meaning recruitment cannot proceed for now.The stakes are high: if the recruitment remains suspended, the NPS may scramble to fill the gap in officers before the elections.
If it proceeds and is later found unlawful, tens of thousands of recruits could see their positions invalidated — triggering institutional chaos. For many Kenyans, this legal impasse raises urgent questions about the timing, transparency and conduct of police recruitment.
In short, the country stands at a crossroads: will the IG’s drive to quickly shore up police numbers prevail, or will the courts prioritize constitutional compliance and oversight?
Either way, the outcome will carry profound implications for Kenya’s security architecture in the lead-up to one of its most consequential elections.
