Sarah Anyango
Nairobi.
In a fresh blow to the government’s efforts to strengthen the National Police Service (NPS), the High Court has temporarily halted the recruitment of 10,000 police constables and officers just days before the nationwide exercise was set to begin.
Justice Bahati Mwamuye of the Milimani Law Courts issued the conservatory order on Monday, following a constitutional petition filed by human rights activist Eliud Matindi, who argues that the planned hiring process violates constitutional and legal safeguards.
The ruling suspends the recruitment notice issued by Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja on November 4, 2025, and restrains the NPS, its agents, and affiliated bodies from proceeding with any part of the exercise—including advertising, shortlisting, training, or deployment—pending a full hearing of Matindi’s case.
The nationwide drive, originally scheduled to kick off on November 17, targeted Kenyan citizens aged 18 to 28 who met strict criteria: a valid national ID, a KCSE mean grade of D+ (with at least D+ in English or Kiswahili), a minimum height of 5 feet 8 inches for men and 5 feet 3 inches for women, and certified physical and medical fitness. Female applicants were required not to be pregnant during recruitment or training. Authorities had pledged a free, fair, and transparent selection process.
Matindi’s notice of motion, dated November 6, raises concerns about the recruitment’s constitutionality, though the specific grounds were not detailed in the order. Justice Mwamuye emphasized the need for an inter partes hearing, directing Matindi to serve the petition, application, and orders on the NPS, Attorney General, and Cabinet Secretary for Interior by November 12. The judge also issued a penal notice, warning that failure to comply could lead to contempt proceedings.
The case will be mentioned on January 22, 2026, to confirm service of documents and issue directions for an expedited hearing. The ruling leaves thousands of hopeful applicants—many from rural areas—stranded after preparing for what had been billed as a merit-based opportunity to join the police service.
The suspension comes barely two weeks after a landmark ruling by the Employment and Labour Relations Court, where Justice Hellen Wasilwa held that the authority to recruit, train, and manage police officers lies solely with the NPS, effectively stripping the National Police Service Commission (NPSC) of its oversight role. That decision had cleared the way for the NPS to proceed independently, but Matindi’s intervention has reignited debate over procedural integrity, accountability, and potential favoritism in a force long criticized for opacity.
Government officials have yet to comment publicly on the court order, which underscores the growing tension between judicial oversight and executive security priorities amid rising calls for comprehensive police reforms. As Kenya grapples with youth unemployment and waning trust in law enforcement, the outcome of this case could shape the future of police recruitment for years to come.