The National Police Service will recruit new officers in September, ending a three-year pause in enlistment caused by financial constraints, Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja has announced.
Speaking on Sunday, Kanja said the recruitment will help address a shortage of 5,000 officers and move the service closer to the United Nations’ recommended police-to-population ratio of 1:450.
“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,” he said.
The last recruitment was conducted in 2022, with officers graduating the following year. During the freeze, the service lost personnel through dismissal, resignation, retirement, and death, further stretching police capacity.
Kanja noted that officers are currently overwhelmed by multiple security challenges, including cattle rustling, banditry, terrorism threats, homicides, carjackings, violent robberies, human trafficking, drug trafficking, smuggling, and traffic offences.
He cautioned that without adequate personnel, resources, and tools, police effectiveness in combating crime remains limited.
To curb corruption, the National Police Service Commission (NPSC) has developed a digital recruitment platform, which CEO Peter Leley says will secure and transform the enlistment process.
However, Kanja clarified the new system will not be used in the upcoming recruitment as it still requires public participation and benchmarking before roll-out.
Interior Principal Secretary Raymond Omollo has urged young Kenyans to seize the opportunity once dates are officially announced.
Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen has hinted at reforms aimed at eliminating corruption and restoring public trust. Speaking in West Pokot, he said the changes will involve new stakeholders, extend the recruitment period, and require all activities to end by 4:00 pm to curb malpractice.
