Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen has urged the Judiciary to reconsider a court order that halted the ongoing police recruitment process. He emphasized the urgent need for additional officers to safeguard the country’s security, citing critical gaps in the police service following the retirement and deaths of numerous officers.
Murkomen acknowledged the court order that temporarily suspended the recruitment process, but expressed hope that the issue would be resolved swiftly. Speaking at the Jukwaa la Usalama forum in Nairobi, he stressed that this recruitment was not merely about filling vacant positions but was an urgent necessity for the nation’s security. The Interior Cabinet Secretary pointed out that the police force faced serious manpower shortages, which could affect the country’s ability to maintain order and secure its borders, especially as the next elections approach.
“The need for more officers is not a matter of convenience but a national urgency,” Murkomen stated, explaining that the gaps left by retired or deceased officers had left critical security weaknesses. He noted that the new recruits would bring in the energy and skills needed to support the police force in the coming months, particularly in ensuring the security of the upcoming elections.
Murkomen appealed to the Judiciary to consider the national interest and the security implications of delaying the recruitment. While expressing respect for the courts, he urged the judge handling the case to apply reason and quickly reopen the process. He conveyed that the recruitment process was set to begin on October 3, 2025, across various counties and its suspension would have a serious impact on the country’s security plans.
The court’s order, issued by Justice Hellen Wasilwa, came in response to a petition filed by John Harun Mwau, which claimed that the recruitment process violated certain legal aspects. The court issued an interim conservatory order halting the exercise until the petition is resolved. The Inspector General of Police and the National Police Service Commission were directed to respond within seven days, while the petitioners are also allowed the same period to submit further affidavits.
The halted recruitment was part of a plan to bring in 10,000 new police constables to meet the growing demands of security in Kenya, in light of population growth and rising security challenges. The National Police Service had expressed its commitment to conducting the recruitment in a transparent and credible manner.
