Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja has welcomed the National Police Service Commission’s (NPSC) decision to commence the recruitment of 10,000 new police constables, describing the move as timely in addressing dwindling numbers within the Service.

Speaking after the commission held its first sitting at the Kenya School of Government (KSG) in Mombasa, IGP Kanja said the initiative comes at a critical moment when the service is grappling with attrition and other challenges affecting personnel capacity.

“As the Inspector General and in my capacity as a commissioner of the National Police Service Commission, I welcome the commission’s decision to commence the recruitment of 10,000 new police constables. This initiative could not have come at a more critical time, when the service members are dwindling due to natural attrition and other factors,” Kanja stated.

Kanja asked qualified Kenyans to seize the opportunity, saying: “As we embark on this recruitment exercise, I urge all eligible and qualified Kenyans to take this opportunity to join the service. Together, we will continue to build a National Police Service that is trusted by the people and respected for its professionalism, discipline and unwavering dedication to maintaining law and order and safeguarding life and property.”

The NPSC, chaired by Amani Yuda Komora, used the Mombasa sitting to deliberate on human resource matters and officially named Collette Suda as the commission’s vice chairperson.

Dr Komora reaffirmed the constitutional mandate of the commission, citing Article 246 of the Constitution, which empowers it to recruit, appoint, promote and exercise disciplinary control over members of the National Police Service.

He further underscored Article 245, which vests independent command of the service in the inspector general, noting that the two roles are complementary and require close collaboration.

“In recognition of these complementary constitutional roles, the commission held a meeting today to deliberate on critical human resource matters in the service. The deliberations were constructive, highlighting the shared responsibilities and hence commitment to strengthen collaboration, mutual respect and effective coordination in the management of the Service,” Komora said in a statement.

Among the key resolutions was the adoption of the National Police Service Commission (Recruitment and Appointment) Regulations, 2025.

Developed pursuant to Section 28 of the NPSC Act, the regulations replace the 2015 framework and address gaps identified while incorporating emerging issues in policing and human resource management.

“These proposed regulations aim at streamlining the recruitment of members of the Service to promote transparency and ensure merit-based selection in the recruitment process,” Dr Komora explained.

The commission also approved a comprehensive roadmap for the recruitment exercise, which Komora mentioned would soon begin with an advertisement of vacancies and culminate in the selection of successful candidates, who will report to designated training colleges later this year.

Komora added, “This recruitment drive is aimed at strengthening the capacity of the service to effectively discharge its mandate of securing the nation.”

In congratulating Prof Suda on her election to vice chairperson, both Kanja and Komora noted her critical administrative role in deputising the chairperson and steering reforms within the commission.

 “With the commission now fully constituted, we are confident in our capacity to spearhead the far-reaching reforms that will entrench a professional, responsive and people-centric police service. We remain united and steadfast to fulfilling our constitutional mandate of providing effective human resource management within the National Police Service,” Komora said.

The meeting marked a symbolic start for the commission under its new leadership, signalling renewed synergy between the commission and the office of the inspector general in strengthening policing and security management in the country.

• A Tell Media / KNA report / By Mohamed Hassan