IG Kanja Releases New Guidelines for Police Recruitment After Court Decision
Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja has issued fresh guidelines for the upcoming police recruitment, confirming that the long-awaited exercise will proceed on Monday, November 17.
Kanja emphasized that the recruitment will be a one-day activity, running from 8 am to 5 pm, and will be conducted simultaneously at 427 recruitment centres across the country.
In a detailed statement released on Friday, November 14, the IG explained that the National Police Service (NPS) had already advertised the recruitment on October 31, 2025, calling for 10,000 qualified young Kenyans to join the service as new police constables.
He reaffirmed that the recruitment will continue as earlier announced, noting that everything is set for the Monday exercise.
This confirmation came shortly after the High Court lifted a temporary suspension that had halted the recruitment. The suspension had been issued by Justice Bahati Mwamuye on November 10 following a petition filed by activist Eliud Matindi.
The activist had argued that IG Douglas Kanja did not have the constitutional mandate to announce or conduct the recruitment independently. However, after reviewing the matter, the court cleared the way for the process to resume without any further delays.
The NPS has described this recruitment as an important milestone, calling it a “new dawn” for the country. According to the service, the intake will bring in a fresh group of young officers who will help push forward the ongoing reforms and modernisation taking place within the police service.
Unlike the military recruitment, which normally takes several days and involves an extended screening process, the police recruitment will be strictly limited to a single day. This difference highlights the unique approaches taken by the two disciplined forces when identifying and selecting new officers.
Minimum Requirements for Applicants
To qualify for the exercise, applicants must meet several basic requirements, including:
- Being a Kenyan citizen aged 18 to 28 years
- Possessing a valid National ID card
- Achieving at least a D+ in KCSE, with a minimum D+ in English or Kiswahili
- Being physically and medically fit
- Meeting the required height: 5ft 8in for men and 5ft 3in for women
- Female applicants must not be pregnant during the recruitment or training period
Those with criminal records or pending court cases will not be considered. On the other hand, NYS graduates who meet all the qualifications are strongly encouraged to apply, as their training gives them added advantage in discipline and preparedness.
Warning Against Corruption
The NPS has also issued a strong warning against bribery and corruption during the recruitment. The service stressed that anyone—whether a candidate, officer, or intermediary—caught engaging in any form of graft will face severe legal consequences.
Authorities have promised to enforce the law fully to ensure that the recruitment remains free, fair, and transparent.
Overall, with the court’s approval and fresh guidelines from IG Kanja, thousands of young Kenyans now have a chance to pursue a career in law enforcement, contributing to national security and the ongoing transformation of the police service.
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