The National Police Service Commission (NPSC) held a public participation forum on the Draft National Police Service Commission (Recruitment and Appointment) Regulations, 2025 in Uasin Gishu county to gather views and comments from members and the general public to develop new regulations from the 2015 ones.
The session is part of a nationwide initiative, with similar forums being conducted in 17 regions to collect feedback from stakeholders and the public.
Speaking during the Eldoret forum, NPSC Commissioner Edwin Cheluget, who spearheaded the exercise, said the commission seeks to ensure transparency and public involvement in the police recruitment process.
He underscored that these regulations, first enacted in 2015 are intended to address the challenges they have experienced in the past like corruption and others
Cheluget acknowledged the recommendation made by NPS officers and members of the public on integrity and inclusivity of the marginalized and minority groups among others, noting that the new regulations if signed into law will take care of all the issues raised.
“As a commission we have strong mechanisms in place to ensure no corruption is happening throughout the recruitment and appointment of officers to the national police service,” he noted.
“Thus, we are here to ensure when one joins the service, he/she comes on board without paying anything, for that is the kind of integrity we want at the National Police Service,” said the Commissioner.
The new recruitment framework aims to eliminate corruption through strict vetting of officers, increase the quota for marginalized communities from 1.1 to 2 percent and increase the number of women joining the service, ensuring equal opportunities for all qualified applicants.
On the other hand, NPS members aired various views, like the introduction of Police University to train cadet officers in order to align training to NPS requirements, unlike when they are recruited, having already graduated in various fields of study from various universities.
Meanwhile, the Uasin Gishu County Police Commander (CPC) Benjamin Mwanthi called for the incorporation of other state agencies like the Kenya National Examination Council (KNEC), EACC, DCI and others during the verification of certificates at the recruitment centres in order to address issues of fake certificates, integrity, and any involvement in criminal offences by the recruits.
Furthermore, he emphasised the need for strict measures to curb corruption at the final stage of recruitment, especially at the submission of documents and issuance of appointment letters to join the service.
The CPC further proposed the introduction of a column indicating the status of parents of the applicant, for instance, orphan or single parent, among others, so as to offer fair opportunities for those coming from vulnerable backgrounds.
On his part, Isaack Kirwa, Chief Inspector of Police, insisted on fairness during medical assessment tests conducted at the training college.
The officers also advocated for the commission to provide necessary infrastructure like wireless internet access at various recruitment centres, especially in rural areas with no internet access, to support individuals from poor backgrounds to apply for recruitment.
Human rights activist Benson Juma urged the commission to uphold fairness, transparency and competence in the recruitment process. He called for a clear separation of the police service from political influence, both during recruitment and in service, to promote professionalism.
Zulifikar Osmam called for the review of the previous recruitment regulations to encourage minorities like the Asian and Arab communities in Kenya to come out in numbers to also take part in the National Police Service.
The participants were assured that all their oral and written memoranda collected from across the country will be considered in the final draft.
Kenyans were urged to make additional online memoranda through regulations@npsc.go.ke before the given deadline of August 11, 2025.
The NPSC emphasised that public participation is vital for good governance and democracy.
The draft regulations, developed under the National Police Service Commission Act, seek to streamline recruitment and appointment procedures within the service.
By Ekuwam Sylvester and Fredrick Maritim
