Singe day: Why those interested in police jobs should not miss Monday exercise

Young Kenyans hoping to join the National Police Service (NPS) will on Monday have the opportunity to apply for 10,000 constable positions, following a High Court decision that temporarily lifted a suspension on the recruitment exercise.

Unlike previous years, the exercise will take place on the same day across the entire country, running from 8am to 5pm at 427 centres.

The legal uncertainty began when Justice Hellen Wasilwa ruled on October 30, 2025, that the National Police Service Commission (NPSC) lacked constitutional authority to hire police officers.

She declared that only the national security organ itself--in this case, the NPS--may recruit under Article 232(d) of the Constitution, and invalidated Legal Notice No. 159 of 19 September 2025, which had advertised the recruitment.

The legal controversy began after the National Police Service Commission (NPSC) advertised the recruitment in September 2025.

A petitioner went to court questioning whether the commission had the constitutional authority to hire police officers.

Critics argued that the recruitment should be conducted directly by the NPS under the Constitution.

Following this, the High Court issued a temporary stay of the earlier order, allowing NPS to resume the recruitment while the petition is fully heard in open court.

Justice Bahati Mwamuye explained that the stay was necessary to avoid penalising eligible applicants who would otherwise miss the chance to join the service.

Commenting on the resumption, NPS Spokesperson Muchiri Nyaga said the service will strictly follow legal and procedural guidelines.

“The recruitment will proceed in accordance with the law and the court’s directives. It is free, transparent, and open to all qualified youth,” he said

He added that any attempt to bribe or influence the process “will be dealt with according to the law.”

Applicants must be Kenyan citizens aged 18 to 28, hold a valid national ID, and have a minimum of D+ in KCSE, including either English or Kiswahili.

They must also meet medical and physical fitness standards, have no criminal record, and female candidates must not be pregnant during the recruitment or training period.