Inside the New Bill to Restructure Appointment of Police IG and DIGs
A new bill has been introduced in the National Assembly seeking to set clear rules on age and term limits for the top leadership of the police service, specifically the Inspector General (IG) of Police and the Deputy Inspector Generals (DIGs).
At the heart of this proposed law is a requirement that anyone nominated or appointed to serve as IG or DIG must be under the age of 60 at the time of their appointment. This marks a major shift in how Kenya manages appointments to the highest offices within the police service.
The proposal, known as the National Police Service (Amendment) Bill, 2025 (National Assembly Bill No. 39 of 2025), seeks to amend the National Police Service Act, Cap. 84.
One of the main changes outlined is the introduction of a clear term limit for DIGs, who currently do not have restrictions on how long they can serve. Unlike other public servants who must retire at 60, DIGs have been exempted from this requirement.
The changes are meant to ensure that senior officers appointed to lead the police service are capable of handling the physical and mental demands of the job, while at the same time encouraging succession planning.
Lawmakers believe this balance will retain experienced leadership while opening opportunities for younger officers to rise to top positions.
To implement the reforms, the bill proposes deleting and replacing several sections of the National Police Service Act that describe the qualifications for appointment as IG or DIG. It also seeks to add new clauses that spell out the updated conditions for holding these positions.
One key section of the bill, Clause 4, introduces new provisions—specifically inserting Sections 11A and 11B into the law.
These new sections will define how the DIG is appointed, introduce a one-term limit of five years for DIGs, and clearly outline both qualifications and disqualifications for the position. Under these rules, no one who has already turned 60 will be eligible for appointment.
Currently, the IG already has a term limit as provided for in the Constitution. Article 245 states that an Inspector General can only serve a single, non-renewable four-year term. However, DIGs have never had a similar restriction, creating a gap that this amendment seeks to close.
The move to introduce a five-year term limit for DIGs is seen as an effort to align their service with other senior public positions and avoid indefinite extensions. Importantly, the bill emphasizes that the new law will not require extra spending from public funds once enacted.
The debate around age in police leadership has been ongoing. When Douglas Kanja was appointed as Inspector General in September 2024, he was already 61 years old, sparking criticism from some quarters.
His appointment came after the resignation of former IG Japhet Koome in July 2024, who stepped down following the wave of Gen Z protests. Koome himself had been 60 years old when he took over the position in 2022.
Currently, Administration Police Service DIG Gilbert Masengeli is 55 years old, while Kenya Police Service DIG Eliud Lagat is believed to be around 53, although his exact age has not been made public.
These examples highlight why lawmakers are pushing for an official age ceiling to remove ambiguity and ensure fairness in future appointments.
By setting both age and term limits, the bill aims to strengthen leadership within the police service and create a structured system of succession.
It also seeks to address past controversies surrounding the appointment of senior officers, ensuring that future leadership transitions are smoother and more transparent.
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