The government has announced significant reforms to the recruitment process for the National Police Service (NPS).

Eliud Kinuthia, Chairperson of the National Police Service Commission, unveiled the changes while presenting the Commission’s exit report at State House on Monday, March 17.

Kinuthia emphasized that the new recruitment process will incorporate an automated information system, a move designed to curb corruption and enhance the efficiency of police hiring.

“On police recruitment, as we leave, the commission has designed an automated police recruitment information system that would drastically reduce human contact and interaction during the entire process,” said Kinuthia.

The changes are part of a broader initiative to ensure fairness, transparency, and accessibility in the recruitment of police officers.

1. Automated Recruitment System

A central feature of the new process is the introduction of an automated information system.

This system aims to minimize human interaction, which has historically been a key avenue for corrupt practices.

The Commission has mapped out stages in the recruitment process that are vulnerable to manipulation and has introduced interventions to curb such activities.

“The system has mapped corruption-prone stages in the process of recruitment and has devised intervention that would reduce vulnerability to corruption for youth seeking police jobs,” Kinuthia explained.

2. Reduced Human Interaction

The automated system will significantly reduce the need for physical handling of applications and human contact during key stages such as manual shortlisting, academic document verification, and medical examinations.

This approach is designed to limit opportunities for bribery and favoritism.

3. Addressing Financial Barriers

The Commission reaffirmed its commitment to eliminating the financial burden on applicants.

Kinuthia condemned the practice where candidates are forced to sell land, livestock, or other property to secure positions in the police service.

“No Kenyan citizen should have to sell their land, livestock, or property just to secure a place in the National Police Service,” he asserted.

4. Inclusion of Cadet Officers

The 2025 recruitment exercise will also include cadet officers, following recommendations from the former Chief Justice David Maraga-led Task Force on police reforms.

This move is expected to bolster leadership within the police service and attract highly qualified candidates.

Candidates for cadet training must have a minimum Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) grade of B, while serving officers can qualify if they hold a degree and complete the requisite in-service training.

5. Lifting of the Recruitment Freeze

The upcoming recruitment exercise marks the end of a two-year freeze on police hiring.

The freeze, imposed in 2022 due to budgetary constraints, was lifted in December 2024 by the Interior Ministry.

According to Internal Security Principal Secretary Raymond Omollo, the resumption of recruitment will allow for the enlistment of thousands of new officers in 2025.

The reforms introduced by the National Police Service Commission aim to create a transparent, merit-based recruitment process while addressing long-standing concerns over corruption and accessibility in joining the police service.