The National Police Service Commission (NPSC) has announced plans to recruit over 25,000 police officers over the next five years, aiming to bolster the nation’s security forces and create employment opportunities. The Commission’s chairperson, Eliud Kinuthia, disclosed this initiative while appearing before the Parliamentary Committee on Administration and Internal Security to defend supplementary budget estimates.
Kinuthia highlighted that the plan envisions the annual recruitment of 5,000 officers, contingent on adequate funding. However, he cautioned that financial constraints might impede the recruitment process, which has already faced setbacks over the past two years due to budgetary limitations.
“During the presentation, the chair revealed that the Commission intends to recruit over 25,000 police officers in five years, adding that inadequate funds have hindered the recruitment process for the last two years,” stated a series of tweets from the NPSC.
The Commission’s presentation called on the Parliamentary Committee to reconsider its budget cut decisions to allow the NPSC to fulfill its mandate effectively. Kinuthia emphasized the critical need for increased funding to ensure the recruitment drive’s success.
The Parliamentary Committee Chair, Gabriel Togoyo, acknowledged the security sector’s essential role and pledged to review the budget in light of the government’s austerity measures. He reiterated the importance of adequately funding the security services to maintain national safety and order.
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The meeting, held at the Kenya School of Monetary Studies in Nairobi, saw attendance from commissioners, stakeholders, and senior management teams of the NPSC. During the session, it was noted that over 10,000 police officers had left the service due to natural attrition, deployment, and retirement.
The supplementary budget allocated a total of Sh377.5 billion to national security. Out of this, Sh173 billion was designated for Defence, Sh110.6 billion for the National Police Service, Sh46.3 billion for the National Intelligence Service, and Sh32.7 billion for Kenya Prisons. Additionally, Sh13.9 billion was set aside for leasing police vehicles, and Sh918.4 million was earmarked for developing the National Forensic Laboratory.
This recruitment drive and budget allocation come amid growing public concern over recent incidents of abductions and accusations of police using excessive force during anti-government protests. Human rights organizations and lobby groups have frequently condemned the police’s conduct, accusing them of partiality and excessive force in managing protests.
The proposed recruitment aims to address these issues by strengthening the police force, ensuring better law enforcement, and restoring public trust in the National Police Service.