Nairobi: The National Police Service Commission (NPSC) recently conducted a public participation forum in Uasin Gishu county to gather input on the Draft National Police Service Commission (Recruitment and Appointment) Regulations, 2025. This initiative seeks to revise the existing regulations from 2015 by incorporating views from various stakeholders and the general public.
According to Kenya News Agency, this forum is part of a broader national effort, with similar gatherings being organized across 17 regions to ensure comprehensive feedback collection. NPSC Commissioner Edwin Cheluget, leading the Eldoret session, emphasized the commission's dedication to transparency and public involvement in reforming the police recruitment process. The 2015 regulations, which previously governed the recruitment process, are being revisited to tackle past issues, including corruption.
Cheluget highlighted the importance of recommendations from both NPS officers and the public, particularly concerning integrity and inclusivity for marginalized and minority groups. He assured that the new regulations, once enacted, would address all raised concerns. The commissioner stated, "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."
The updated recruitment framework is designed to eradicate corruption through rigorous vetting, increase the recruitment quota for marginalized communities from 1.1 to 2 percent, and boost the number of women joining the service, ensuring equitable opportunities for all qualified candidates.
NPS members proposed the establishment of a Police University for cadet officer training, aligning their education with NPS requirements rather than relying on diverse academic backgrounds. Uasin Gishu County Police Commander Benjamin Mwanthi suggested involving other state agencies, such as the Kenya National Examination Council (KNEC), EACC, and DCI, in certificate verification during recruitment to combat issues of fake certificates and ensure integrity.
Mwanthi also stressed the importance of combating corruption at the final recruitment stages, particularly during document submission and appointment letter issuance. He proposed adding a column indicating applicants' parental status, such as being an orphan or from a single-parent household, to ensure fair opportunities for those from vulnerable backgrounds.
Chief Inspector of Police Isaack Kirwa advocated for fairness during medical assessments at training colleges. Officers also recommended providing necessary infrastructure, like wireless internet access at recruitment centers, especially in rural areas, to support applicants from disadvantaged backgrounds.
Human rights activist Benson Juma urged the commission to maintain fairness, transparency, and professionalism in recruitment, emphasizing the separation of police service from political influences. Zulifikar Osmam called for a review of previous regulations to encourage participation from minorities, including Asian and Arab communities in Kenya.
Participants were assured that all oral and written feedback collected nationwide would be considered in the final draft. Kenyans were encouraged to submit additional online memoranda to [email protected] before the deadline of August 11, 2025.
The NPSC highlighted the importance of public participation in fostering good governance and democracy. The draft regulations, formulated under the National Police Service Commission Act, aim to streamline recruitment and appointment procedures within the service.