High Court Halts Recruitment of 10,000 Police Constables Pending Petition
The High Court has temporarily halted the National Police Service’s (NPS) plan to recruit 10,000 new police constables, dealing another blow to the ongoing efforts to expand the country’s security personnel.
In a ruling delivered on Monday, November 10, Justice Bahati Mwamuye issued a conservatory order suspending the recruitment process until a petition challenging its legality is heard and determined.
“Pending the inter partes hearing and determination of the petitioner’s application, a conservatory order is hereby issued suspending the Notice of Recruitment of Police Constables/Officers issued on November 4, 2025,” Justice Mwamuye ordered at the Milimani Law Courts.
The case was filed by activist Eliud Matindi, who questioned the constitutional validity of the exercise announced by Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja earlier this month. The NPS had scheduled the recruitment for November 17, 2025, across all sub-counties nationwide.
Following the court’s decision, no recruitment or related preparations can proceed until the matter is fully resolved. The orders apply not only to the respondents — including the state — but also to any agencies or individuals involved in implementing the recruitment process.
Justice Mwamuye directed the petitioner to serve the respondents and interested parties with the petition and court orders by November 12 and to file proof of service. The judge also issued a penal notice warning that failure to comply with the court’s directives would attract legal sanctions.
This ruling adds to a series of legal hurdles affecting the police recruitment exercise. On October 30, Justice Hellen Wasilwa of the Employment and Labour Relations Court ruled that the National Police Service Commission (NPSC) does not have the constitutional authority to recruit police officers — a decision that transferred that mandate exclusively to the NPS.
In response, the NPS had announced fresh recruitment criteria, emphasizing transparency and fairness. Applicants were required to be Kenyan citizens aged between 18 and 28, possess a minimum KCSE grade of D+, and meet physical fitness standards. Female applicants were also required not to be pregnant during recruitment or training.
The suspension now leaves the fate of the nationwide exercise uncertain as the court prepares to hear the case challenging its legality.
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High Court Halts Recruitment of 10,000 Police Constables Pending Petition