Over 4,500 police officers have exited the National Police Service (NPS) since the last recruitment of constables in 2022, a development that has raised concerns about the country’s security capacity. Inspector-General of Police Douglas Kanja disclosed the figures on Tuesday while addressing the National Assembly’s Internal Security Committee at Parliament Buildings in Nairobi.
According to Kanja, the NPS has lost a total of 4,569 officers over the past three years. This includes 1,206 officers who have died, 326 who resigned, and 289 who were dismissed. In addition, 2,563 officers retired mandatorily, 95 retired under the 12–20 years rule, and 58 others left after attaining the age of 50. Thirty officers retired after being removed from service on public interest grounds, while two exited due to medical reasons.
The NPS comprises three units: the Kenya Police Service (KPS), the Administration Police (AP), and the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI). More than half of the officers who exited were from the Kenya Police Service.
Kanja emphasized that this high attrition rate has significantly strained the service’s capacity to maintain national security. “The attrition of 4,569 officers from NPS since the last recruitment exercise in 2022 has significant implications for staffing levels, operational capacity, and strategic planning within the service,” he said.
He further noted that the impact of the exodus is being felt across various levels of the force, with challenges including imbalance in rank structure, overburdened personnel, delayed investigations, poor emergency response, and difficulty in maintaining regular patrols.
The Inspector-General’s remarks underscore the urgent need for fresh recruitment and internal reforms to restore optimal staffing and operational efficiency. As crime trends evolve and public safety demands grow, the reduction in the police workforce poses a potential risk to law and order across the country.
Lawmakers are now expected to engage the Ministry of Interior and Coordination of National Government to address the gaps created by the mass exit and ensure the police service remains adequately equipped to perform its duties effectively.
