Wamuzi News Ke
In a dramatic session at the National Assembly’s Committee on Administration and Internal Security, MPs yesterday pushed forward the controversial National Police Service (Amendment) Bill, proposing that appointments for Inspector General (IG) and Deputy Inspector General (DIG) be capped at 60 years of age.
The move—prompted by glaring gaps in current law—marks a seismic shift in Kenya’s police leadership structure .Teso North MP Oku Kaunya, the bill’s sponsor, lambasted the existing system for lacking safeguards to ensure timely leadership turnover.
“This law will help us eliminate lacuna and make sure we have capable officers at the top at all times,” he asserted, arguing the amendment aligns police command with the standard public service retirement age .
The proposal has triggered a brewing storm. Committee vice-chair Dado Rasso warned of larger systemic issues, citing dangerous promotion practices that allow junior officers to leapfrog seasoned seniors.
He pressed Kaunya to overhaul the promotion system—potentially modeling changes after the rigid leadership structure of the Kenya Defence Forces .Key elements of the amendment include:A mandatory retirement age of 60 for IG and DIG at appointment time.
Establishment of a single term limit for DIGs.Revision of Section 11 of the NPS Act to update qualifications and introduce age-based disqualifications.Addition of new clauses (11A and 11B) to regulate DIG appointment frameworks and term limits .
Kaunya highlighted the broader benefits: enhanced leadership continuity, agility in crisis response, and a clear pipeline for grooming fresh talent. He emphasized that the proposed age ceiling mirrors public service norms—with disability-related exceptions permitting retirement at 65 .
Despite the bill’s promise, concerns are mounting. Critics caution that a strict age cap—without comprehensive promotion reform—could inadvertently drain experience while failing to resolve entrenched structural flaws.
Concerns over succession planning, officer morale, and operational readiness have surfaced amid growing public scrutiny.
What’s next?
The bill will return to committee with proposed amendments, including revisions to the promotion protocol.Cabinet Secretary for Interior and National Treasury will weigh in on operational and financial implications.
Upon tabling in the House, the amendment is likely to ignite heated debates during second and third readings.If approved, changes will be fast-tracked to the Senate and, once signed into law, enforced to reshape leadership dynamics at the top of the National Police Service.
Why this is urgent.
With rising incidents of public unrest and demand for police accountability, Kenya’s leadership faces mounting pressure to professionalize the security apparatus. Institutionalizing retirement norms may strengthen command integrity—but must coincide with transparent promotions and retention strategies to avoid destabilizing morale and performance.
Conclusion.
Kenya stands at a critical juncture—moving to institutionalize police command turnover for the first time in decades. Whether the amendment marks a genuine step toward disciplined leadership or triggers deeper structural debates, one thing is clear: the future of Kenya’s police command hinges on the decisions made in Parliament this week.
