Recruitment Drive Aims to Bolster Police Numbers

The National Police Service (NPS) is set to conduct a nationwide recruitment of 10,000 police constables on Monday, November 17, 2025, a critical exercise aimed at boosting the country's security capacity. The one-day event will take place from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM EAT at 427 designated centers across all sub-counties, according to a notice from Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja dated November 14, 2025. This drive follows a three-year freeze on police hiring that, coupled with natural attrition, has contributed to a significant staffing shortfall, as highlighted in a recent report by the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC).

Strict Eligibility and Oversight Measures in Place

Prospective candidates must meet stringent criteria. Applicants are required to be Kenyan citizens aged between 18 and 28, possess a valid National Identity Card, and have a minimum KCSE grade of D+ with at least a D+ in either English or Kiswahili. Physical fitness is mandatory, with minimum height requirements of 5 feet 8 inches (1.73m) for men and 5 feet 3 inches (1.60m) for women. Female candidates must not be pregnant during the recruitment or the subsequent training period. All applicants must have a clean criminal record with no pending charges.

In a bid to ensure fairness, the NPS has encouraged graduates of the National Youth Service (NYS) who meet the criteria to apply. An addendum notice issued by IG Kanja on November 7, 2025, clarified that former NYS candidates can report to either their home sub-county center or a dedicated venue at the NYS Headquarters in Ruaraka, Nairobi. That notice also corrected the locations for a few centers in Kajiado and Narok counties. Applicants have been directed to download application forms from official government and police websites.

A History of Corruption Looms Over Exercise

This year's recruitment is under intense scrutiny due to a history of corruption that has deeply eroded public trust. A July 2025 Kenya Bribery Index by Transparency International–Kenya ranked the National Police Service as the most bribery-prone institution in the country. The report revealed that police officers received nearly 40% of all reported bribes. This perception is rooted in past recruitment scandals. In August 2014, for instance, the National Police Service Commission (NPSC) was forced to nullify the results from 36 recruitment centers, affecting 1,215 potential recruits, due to massive irregularities and violations of procedure.

The EACC has repeatedly warned of a deeply entrenched culture of bribery, where parents have sold land or held fundraisers to secure a spot for their children in the force. In a statement on November 12, 2025, EACC Chief Executive Officer Abdi A. Mohamud cautioned that individuals who join the service through illicit means are more likely to perpetuate corruption, undermining national security and justice.

Unprecedented Warnings from Top Officials

In response to these deep-seated concerns, government and security officials have issued their strongest warnings to date. Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen, speaking in Bomet County on November 9, 2025, urged the public to act as observers and use their mobile phones to record and report any instances of bribery. He assured Kenyans that both bribe-givers and takers would be arrested and that results from all centers would be announced publicly by 5:00 PM on the recruitment day to ensure transparency.

Inspector General Kanja has also pledged a transparent, merit-based exercise, stating that anyone attempting to influence the process through corrupt means will face the full force of the law. To enforce this, the EACC and the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) have announced a partnership to closely monitor the exercise nationwide. The public is urged to report any malpractice to EACC hotlines (020-2717468, 0727285663), IPOA (0792532626), or the DCI's toll-free number (0800722203).

Legal Mandate and Importance for Kenya

The recruitment proceeds after a High Court ruling on November 14, 2025, lifted a temporary suspension on the exercise. The suspension had been issued following a petition challenging the Inspector General's authority to conduct the recruitment. The courts had previously clarified in an October 30, 2025 ruling that the mandate for recruitment lies with the NPS under the IG, not the NPSC, resolving a long-standing jurisdictional dispute. Officials have stressed the urgency of the recruitment to enhance security ahead of the 2027 General Election and to address the critical officer shortfall. The success and integrity of this exercise are seen as a crucial test of the government's commitment to reforming one of its most vital public institutions.