Police Dismiss Viral Fake Notice on Automatic Promotions

Nairobi, Kenya – The National Police Service (NPS) has disowned a viral notice that falsely claimed all officers aged 50 and above would receive automatic promotions.

In an official statement, NPS warned the public and its officers to beware of misinformation, stressing that promotions remain guided by merit, performance, statutory provisions, and disciplinary records. The fake notice, which circulated widely on social media, had urged officers to submit academic and service credentials for consideration and falsely attributed the directive to former police spokesperson Resila Onyango, who now heads the Diplomatic Police Unit.

What the Policy Actually Says

Officials clarified that recent reforms only adjusted the automatic promotion threshold for long-serving officers, lowering it from 53 years to 50 years.

• Corporals and sergeants with over 15 years of service, and

• Inspectors with more than 10 years of service,

will now be promoted automatically once they attain the age of 50.

Promotions for higher ranks, however, still require academic qualifications and a clean disciplinary record.

Broader Welfare Reforms

The NPS also recently revised rules on staff transfers, reducing the mandatory minimum period officers must serve in one duty station before being redeployed. Officials said the changes aim to improve welfare, reduce complacency, and create more balanced staff rotations.

Reaction and Risks

Police unions welcomed the clarification but urged the service to strengthen communication to reach officers in remote and rural postings, where misinformation often spreads fastest.

Security analysts said the incident highlights the growing vulnerability of police officers to fake digital notices, warning that without proper official channels and digital literacy training, misinformation could undermine morale and trust within the ranks.

The Bigger Picture

The controversy comes as the Ruto administration pursues wider reforms in the police service, balancing the need for motivation through promotions with demands for accountability and professionalism.

For now, the NPS insists that authentic promotion guidelines will only be released through its official communication platforms.