By Mandere Onyinkwa
The National Police Service (NPS) has postponed its nationwide recruitment exercise, originally scheduled to begin on October 3, 2025, following a court order issued by the Employment and Labour Relations Court.
The announcement was made through an official statement from the Office of the Inspector General, citing Petition No. E196 of 2025 as the basis for the decision.
“The National Police Service wishes to inform the public that the recruitment exercise scheduled to commence on October 3, 2025, has been postponed until further notice,” read the statement signed by Muchiri Nyaga, Director of Corporate Communication.
“This follows a court order issued on October 2, 2025, in Petition No. E196 of 2025 (Harun W. Inspector General & 2 Others).”
The NPS emphasized its commitment to upholding the rule of law and assured the public that the recruitment would resume at the earliest opportunity once legal matters are resolved.
“We remain committed to complying with all legal directives and will ensure the recruitment process resumes in a manner that respects the court’s decision,” the statement added.
The matter had already sparked debate in the Senate, where lawmakers expressed concern over the integrity and transparency of the recruitment process.
Kakamega Senator Boni Khalwale was among those who weighed in, urging the government to address underlying issues that may have prompted the legal challenge.
“We must ensure that every young Kenyan who dreams of serving in uniform is given a fair chance, free from corruption and favoritism,” Dr Khalwale said.
He further called on the Ministry of Interior and the NPS to provide a detailed explanation of the criteria used in the recruitment process and to engage stakeholders in reforming it.
“This is a moment for introspection,” he added.
The Senator claimed that a resident of Kakamega had been told to part with Ksh 450,000 in exchange of a recruitment chance for his son to the force.
Civil society groups have also echoed calls for transparency, citing past concerns over regional imbalances and lack of public oversight.
Attention now turns to how the government will respond to growing pressure for reform in one of the nation’s most critical public service institutions.