Recruitment Resumes After Jurisdictional Dispute

The National Police Service (NPS) has announced that its nationwide recruitment for police constables will take place on Monday, November 17, 2025, across all designated sub-county centres. The announcement, made by Inspector General Douglas Kanja, follows a significant High Court ruling that resolved a jurisdictional dispute over the hiring mandate, which had previously halted the exercise.

The recruitment drive, initially scheduled by the National Police Service Commission (NPSC) to run from October 3 to October 9, 2025, was abruptly stopped by a temporary court order on October 2. This led to a legal battle that culminated in a decisive judgment on Thursday, October 30, 2025, by the Employment and Labour Relations Court.

High Court Clarifies Constitutional Mandates

In a landmark decision, Justice Hellen Wasilwa ruled that the NPSC has no constitutional power to recruit, train, employ, or dismiss police officers. The court affirmed that these functions fall exclusively under the independent command of the Inspector General of Police, as stipulated in Article 245 of the Constitution. Justice Wasilwa stated that the NPSC's role is limited to oversight and administrative functions, not the operational duties of recruitment and deployment. The court declared the NPSC's initial recruitment advertisement unconstitutional, null, and void, and issued a permanent injunction restraining the commission from conducting such exercises in the future. The ruling underscored that the NPS is a critical national security organ whose operational independence must be insulated from administrative interference.

Implications for Kenya's Security Sector

The court's clarification is a pivotal moment for the governance of Kenya's security apparatus. It resolves a long-standing ambiguity between the NPS and its civilian oversight body, the NPSC. The judgment aims to prevent future institutional conflicts and reinforce the chain of command within the police service. In her ruling, Justice Wasilwa also directed a comprehensive review of the National Police Service Act and the National Police Service Commission Act to align them with the Constitution. For the Kenyan public, this decision is intended to ensure a clear and accountable process for staffing an essential service, which IG Kanja noted is necessary to address personnel shortages.

Requirements and Application Process

With the legal hurdles cleared, the NPS has outlined the requirements for the thousands of Kenyans expected to apply. Aspiring constables must be Kenyan citizens aged between 18 and 28, and hold a valid National Identity Card. Academically, a minimum grade of D+ in the Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE), with at least a D+ in either English or Kiswahili, is required.

Candidates must also meet physical and medical fitness standards. The minimum height for male applicants is 5 feet 8 inches (1.7 meters), while for females it is 5 feet 3 inches (1.6 meters). Female candidates must not be pregnant at the time of recruitment or during the entire training period. All applicants must have a clean criminal record with no pending charges. National Youth Service (NYS) graduates who meet these criteria are encouraged to apply.

Interested individuals are required to download and fill out a prescribed application form from the official websites of the NPS, Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI), Administration Police Service (APS), or MyGov. Forms are also available at Huduma Centres. On Monday, November 17, 2025, applicants must present themselves at their designated recruitment centre by 8:00 AM EAT with original and copies of their academic certificates, National ID card, and birth certificate. The NPS has strongly warned that the recruitment process is free of charge and that any form of bribery or corruption is a criminal offence that will lead to prosecution.