National police recruitment exercises are typically done around the months of October and November, when thousands of youth get the chance to join during the formation of the service.
Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja marches during a full dress rehearsal of the police recruits pass-out parade at the NPS Training College in Kiganjo, August 25, 2026. Photo NPS Thousands of Kenyans eyeing recruitment into the National Police Service face fresh uncertainty after the National Police Service Commission (NPSC) moved to the Supreme Court to challenge a ruling restricting its authority over police recruitment and promotions.
In a statement issued on Friday, October 30, the commission announced that it had filed a Notice of Appeal seeking to overturn the Court of Appeal's decision on the management of uniformed police officers.
The move follows the October 16 judgment in which the Court of Appeal dismissed appeals filed by the NPSC and the Law Society of Kenya (LSK), upholding an earlier ruling limiting the commission's powers.
According to NPSC Chairperson Amani Yuda Komora, the commission is seeking a final interpretation of the constitutional provisions governing its responsibilities and those of Inspector General Douglas Kanja.
An undated image of the National Police Service at Jogoo House, Nairobi Photo @IG_NPS "The Commission has since filed a Notice of Appeal to obtain that clarification in the public interest," the statement read.
The Commission maintained that its decision was not intended to interfere with the Inspector General's independent command but to clarify the constitutional responsibilities of the two institutions.
The dispute centres on Articles 245 and 246 of the Constitution, which outline the Inspector General's command of the police service and the Commission's responsibilities in managing police personnel.
The legal battle began in September 2025 after the NPSC advertised vacancies for police constables and published regulations governing recruitment and appointments, triggering a challenge over its constitutional authority.
On October 30, 2025, the Employment and Labour Relations Court declared the commission's recruitment regulations unconstitutional and restricted its authority over other personnel functions involving uniformed officers.
The Court of Appeal subsequently upheld that decision on October 16, 2026, after dismissing the consolidated appeals filed by the commission and LSK, leaving the lower court's ruling in force.
The judgment also paved the way for Kanja to approve the promotion of 1,948 police officers on October 19, after the officers had completed the required promotional courses and met the conditions for advancement.
The latest Supreme Court move comes amid the continuing dispute over recruitment, appointments, promotions, transfers and disciplinary control within the police service.
