Inside Harun Mwau’s Petition That Halted Recruitment of 10,000 Police Officers
The government’s plan to recruit 10,000 new police officers has been put on hold after the Employment and Labour Relations Court issued temporary orders on Thursday, October 2, 2025. The suspension came after former Kilome MP Harun Mwau filed a petition challenging the National Police Service Commission’s (NPSC) role in the recruitment process.
The recruitment was to start on Friday, October 3 but Justice Hellen Wasilwa stopped it, directing both the NPSC and the Inspector General (IG) of Police to file their responses within seven days.
Mwau’s petition
At the centre of the case is a dispute over power. Mwau argues that the NPSC has exceeded its constitutional mandate by trying to take over functions that should be with the IG and the National Police Service (NPS).
In his petition, Mwau says the commission “purported to usurp the powers of the IG” by initiating recruitment without lawful authority. He says that would be unconstitutional.
Conflicting roles
The standoff highlights the roles of the two institutions. The NPSC was established under Article 246 of the Constitution to manage human resource functions of the police service including recruitment, promotions, transfers and discipline. It also ensures the NPS operates under principles of transparency, accountability and integrity.
The IG on the other hand draws power from Article 245 which gives the IG operational independence and command of the police service. The IG argues payroll management and other financial functions fall under this constitutional authority.
Payroll dispute
The controversy has also exposed long-standing disputes over who controls the police payroll. Both the IG and NPSC claim jurisdiction, each insisting the Constitution supports their position.
The outcome of the case will determine not only who should recruit police officers but also who should manage the payroll – an issue that has been a thorn in the flesh of the police service.
What’s next
The court’s decision will be keenly watched by government agencies and security stakeholders as it will set a precedent for future recruitment exercises. The National Police Service has already said it will respect the court’s orders and follow the law.
A ruling will determine the boundaries of power between the IG and the NPSC and shape the future of police recruitment and management in Kenya.
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Inside Harun Mwau’s Petition That Halted Recruitment of 10,000 Police Officers