The High Court has temporarily halted the upcoming recruitment of 10,000 police constables by the National Police Service (NPS), pending the outcome of a constitutional petition challenging the exercise.
In a ruling delivered on Monday, November 10, Justice Bahati Mwamuye issued conservatory orders suspending the recruitment process until the case is heard and determined.
“Pending the inter partes hearing and determination of the petitioner’s application, a conservatory order is hereby issued suspending the Notice of Recruitment of Police Constables/Officers issued on November 4, 2025,” the judge ruled.
The decision, rendered at the Milimani Law Courts, followed a petition filed by activist Eliud Matindi, who is contesting the legality of the recruitment exercise announced by Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja on November 4.
NPS had earlier confirmed that the recruitment would take place on November 17, 2025, across all sub-counties. However, the new court order effectively freezes all recruitment, implementation, or facilitation activities related to the exercise until further notice.
Justice Mwamuye directed that the suspension applies not only to the respondents, including the state, but also to any individuals, bodies, or agencies involved in the recruitment process.
He further ordered the petitioner to serve all respondents and interested parties with the petition, application, and court orders by November 12, and to file an affidavit of service thereafter. The judge also issued a penal notice, warning that any breach of the court’s directives would attract legal consequences.
This ruling marks another twist in the ongoing tussle over police recruitment authority. Just last month, on October 30, Justice Hellen Wasilwa of the Employment and Labour Relations Court declared that the National Police Service Commission (NPSC) lacks the constitutional mandate to recruit police officers.
Justice Wasilwa’s decision vested the authority to recruit, train, assign, suspend, and dismiss officers exclusively with the NPS, effectively sidelining the NPSC.
Following that ruling, the NPS assumed control of the recruitment process and announced new eligibility criteria, promising a free, fair, and transparent exercise.
Under the announced guidelines, applicants were required to: be Kenyan citizens aged between 18 and 28 years, hold a valid national ID, have at least a D+ (plus) in KCSE, including a D+ in English or Kiswahili, be physically and medically fit.
Candidates are also required to meet minimum height requirements of 5 ft 8 in for men and 5 ft 3 in for women.