Principal Secretary for Internal Security, Dr. Raymond Omollo, announced on Friday, January 10, 2025, that the National Police Service (NPS) will resume recruitment after a two-year freeze.
The upcoming recruitment drive will include the hiring of cadet officers, a move aimed at addressing gaps within the police service and enhancing professionalism.
Speaking during a media interview, Dr. Omollo explained that the introduction of cadet hiring is part of broader reforms aimed at improving service delivery.
“There are issues around human resources and human rights that we must address, including proposals to reintroduce cadet officers. This ensures not everyone joins at the same level, allowing us to address some of the existing gaps,” he stated.
The resumption of recruitment aligns with recommendations from former Chief Justice David Maraga, who chaired a task force on police reforms. Dr. Omollo noted that several of these reforms have already been implemented, particularly those addressing officer deployment and station tenure.
“Some recommendations, particularly the administrative ones, have been actualized. These include addressing the issue of officers overstaying at specific stations,” Omollo added.
Reforms aimed at improving salaries and remuneration for police officers have also been put into effect. Additionally, the recommendations emphasize combating corruption within the service by reducing unethical practices in recruitment, promotions, and daily operations.
The reforms further propose enhanced leadership to ensure accountability and efficiency, reduced political interference in police operations, and the modernization of the police training curriculum to better equip officers to handle emerging challenges.
On December 15, 2024, the Kenyan government announced plans to recruit 5,000 police officers in March 2025. This initiative, according to Deputy President Kithure Kindiki, seeks to bolster security across the country, particularly in areas experiencing significant challenges.
Dr. Omollo added that this recruitment drive is not only aimed at addressing security concerns but also tackling the rising unemployment rates in the country.
The reintroduction of cadet officers, in particular, is expected to attract skilled professionals and enhance the leadership structure within the police service, marking a significant step toward modernizing Kenya’s law enforcement.
