Kenyan Court Halts Recruitment of 10,000 Police Officers, Citing Unconstitutional Process
NAIROBI, Kenya – In a significant ruling, Kenya’s Employment and Labour Relations Court has nullified the National Police Service Commission’s (NPSC) ongoing recruitment drive for 10,000 police constables.
The decision, delivered on Thursday, October 30, 2025, by Justice Hellen Wasilwa, found that the NPSC overstepped its constitutional mandate by advertising the positions. The court affirmed that the power to recruit police officers lies exclusively with the Inspector General of the National Police Service, Douglas Kanja.
The ruling stems from a petition filed by Harun Mwau, which challenged the NPSC’s authority to conduct the recruitment. Justice Wasilwa upheld the argument that Article 245 of the Kenyan Constitution grants the Inspector General operational independence, which includes the power to recruit.
As a result of the judgment, the court has issued a permanent injunction preventing the NPSC from any involvement in the recruitment of police officers. The highly publicized nationwide recruitment drive, which had attracted significant attention in a country grappling with high youth unemployment, has been halted indefinitely.
The news was quickly shared on social media, with figures like commentator Moe and journalist Linus Kaikai confirming the court’s decision to cancel the hiring process, underscoring the public interest in the case.
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