Kenya’s plan to recruit 10,000 new police constables has exposed deep cracks between the National Police Service (NPS) and the National Police Service Commission (NPSC). Parliament has flagged the wrangles, warning they could damage the integrity and unity of the service.
At the heart of the conflict are overlapping mandates and disagreements over who controls recruitment, payroll, and human resource functions. With a hiring freeze finally lifted, the two institutions are fighting for turf instead of focusing on strengthening security.
Confusion in Police Recruitment Mandates
The recruitment of 10,000 new police constables was meant to restore the numbers in the service. But instead of unity, the process has ignited a fresh round of conflict between the NPS and the NPSC.
The National Assembly Committee on Implementation of the Constitution, chaired by Caroli Omondi, grilled both institutions on Tuesday. Members warned that the confusion could shatter the integrity of the police. They insisted that Parliament will have to make a final decision to define the clear roles of each entity.
At the center of the storm is funding. Parliament allocated money for recruitment to the NPS instead of the NPSC. The commission has accused the service of undermining its independence and disregarding Article 246 of the Constitution, which gives it control over human resources.
The NPSC is constitutionally responsible for recruitment, promotions, transfers, training standards, and disciplinary control. Yet the Inspector General, under Article 245, claims authority over command, deployment, and implementation of policy. These clashing mandates have blurred the lines of accountability.
The situation has been made worse by disputes over payroll control. The IG insists that surrendering payroll powers would weaken his command. On the other hand, the NPSC argues that payroll is a core human resource function that should remain under its management.
New Regulations Deepen the Divide
Earlier this month, the NPSC announced the recruitment exercise would follow the National Police Service Commission Recruitment and Appointment Regulations Act, 2025. This Act introduced online applications before physical field exercises.
NPSC chair Amani Komora explained that the new system will ensure transparency, fairness, and accountability. However, this shift has created yet another flashpoint with the NPS.
Some senior officers view the online system as an unnecessary interference in operations. They argue that the Inspector General must have a bigger say in how the service recruits, trains, and deploys new officers.
Despite this, IG Douglas Kanja publicly welcomed the recruitment drive. He admitted that the service is overstretched and needs fresh blood. He said the recruitment of 10,000 officers is timely, considering many officers are leaving due to retirement, deaths, and poor working conditions.
But analysts argue his remarks mask a deeper struggle for control. By accepting the commission’s process while quietly resisting parts of it, the IG is protecting his turf while avoiding open rebellion.
Parliament Steps In to Stop the Wrangles
The wrangles are not new. For years, disagreements between uniformed and civilian members of the NPSC have delayed police recruitment. Hiring freezes have weakened security capacity in the country.
The current standoff threatens to derail the long-awaited exercise once again. That is why Parliament’s committee has decided to hold further consultations with stakeholders. The aim is to craft clear guidelines that stop the duplication of roles between the NPS and the NPSC.
Lawmakers are especially concerned about the political implications of the fight. A divided police service could affect discipline, loyalty, and the fight against insecurity. They warned that public trust will collapse if Kenyans see the police fighting over money and power instead of focusing on safety.
The big question is whether Parliament will have the courage to untangle the mess. The Constitution is clear: the NPSC should control recruitment and human resources, while the IG commands operations. But years of turf wars have blurred this line, creating fertile ground for endless disputes.
Until these roles are separated with finality, Kenyans may continue to witness conflicts every time a major recruitment exercise is announced. The 10,000 new officers may therefore enter the service under a cloud of institutional rivalry that could weaken their morale from the start.
Conclusion
The wrangles between the NPS and the NPSC over police recruitment are more than just a turf battle. They reveal the fragile balance of power within Kenya’s security sector.
Unless Parliament acts decisively, the recruitment of 10,000 police constables risks becoming another casualty of bureaucratic rivalry. What Kenya needs is clarity, unity, and a police service focused on protecting the people, not fighting over mandates.
