Inspector General of Police (IG) Japheth Kanja has suffered a fresh setback after the High Court temporarily stopped the National Police Service (NPS) from recruiting 10,000 new police officers. The court issued a conservatory order on Monday, suspending the recruitment exercise until a petition challenging its legality is heard and determined.
The petitioners argued that the recruitment process was flawed and violated constitutional provisions, claiming that it lacked transparency and fairness. They challenged the criteria used in shortlisting candidates, saying it could unfairly disadvantage some applicants.
source: facebook
Justice Bahati Mwamuye, who issued the order, stated that the court needed to review the matter thoroughly before allowing the recruitment to continue. “The court must ensure that public recruitment exercises are conducted in a lawful and fair manner for all citizens,” he said.
The suspension affects thousands of prospective applicants across the country who were preparing to join the police service. The NPS had announced the recruitment drive to strengthen national security and address the shortage of officers in various counties.
The Inspector General, through his office, had previously emphasized that the exercise would be conducted fairly and in line with the law. However, the court order now delays the process until the legal issues raised by the petitioners are resolved.
The petition will be heard in the coming weeks, and the High Court will decide whether the recruitment can proceed or if further changes need to be made. Meanwhile, the NPS has urged applicants to remain patient and wait for further updates.
This latest development is seen as a significant blow to IG Kanja, who has been under pressure to fill police vacancies and improve security across the country. Analysts say the ruling highlights the importance of transparency and legal compliance in public recruitment exercises.
