Nairobi, October 30- The nationwide recruitment exercise for 10,000 officers into the National Police Service (NPS) has been suspended after a ruling by the Employment and Labour Relations Court (ELRC).
On October 2 2025, Justice Hellen Wasilwa granted interim conservatory orders halting the recruitment that was scheduled to run from October 3 to October 9. The court was prompted by a petition from former legislator John Harun Mwau, alleging the National Police Service Commission (NPSC) failed to conduct proper public participation and breached constitutional requirements.
The NPSC, for its part, argues the ELRC lacks jurisdiction, saying the matter falls under constitutional and administrative law rather than employment relations. The commission points to Article 246(3) of the Constitution and says recruitment of police officers belongs exclusively to the NPSC and the NPS.
In its detailed judgment, the court declared that the recruitment, training, assignment, suspension and dismissal of officers falls under the mandate of the NPS via the Inspector-General, and not the employment jurisdiction of the ELRC.
What this means
- Applicants who applied for the recruitment are now in limbo, with no clear timeline for resumption.
- The recruitment freeze underscores weaknesses in governance and clarity around the roles of NPSC and NPS.
- Security forces face delays in planned expansion, which could impact police capacity ahead of the 2027 general elections.
- Public trust in recruitment fairness and transparency may be affected, as the delay highlights procedural issues.
