Interior CS Kipchumba Murkomen speaking during the Jukwaa La Usalama on October 2, 2025 / HANDOUTInterior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen said there is a shortage of police officers in the country adding that there is an urgent need for their services.
The CS faulted the High Court for stopping police recruitment saying they should look into the matter urgently for the National Police Service to proceed with recruitment.
Murkomen said the country is facing an acute shortage of police officers following retirements and deaths within the services stressing an urgent recruitment is necessary to secure Kenya’s borders and prepare for the 2027 General Election.
“There is a shortage of police officers in many parts of the country and Jukwaa La Usalama as they raised, initially, we wanted to recruit 3,500 police officers and because of that we asked President William Ruto together with treasury and it was agreed that we hire 10,000 police officers that we are recruiting from tomorrow,” he said.
“I’m aware there was a legal process in court and a judge has given an order to stop the recruitment process. I wish I would be allowed to call the judge directly, to understand the consequence of a court order stopping recruitment of police that has never happened for the last four years, and how it is very critical for the safety of our country to recruit those police officers urgently.”
The CS said the new officers are needed to replace those who have retired, reinforce security operations, and undergo training ahead of the general elections.
“I hope that the judge will watch my speech, so that I don't need to call her, and we'll apply reason to make sure that that process is opened very quickly, to ensure that our country can recruit the police officers that they need so badly as a country, and I'm sure that our situation will be resolved in time.”
The Interior CS maintained that the government would not relent in its resolve to strengthen the police service.
The Employment and Labour Relations Court in Nairobi issued a temporary order halting the recruitment of 10,000 police officers, dealing a legal setback to the National Police Service (NPS).
The recruitment was to start Friday, October 3, 2025.
The ruling, delivered on Thursday, October 2, 2025, by Lady Justice Hellen Wasilwa, came in response to a petition filed by John Harun Mwau against the Inspector General of Police (IG) and the National Police Service Commission (NPSC).
According to the court documents, an interim conservatory order was issued, staying the entire recruitment process until the petition is fully resolved.
"Interim conservatory order is hereby issued, staying the entire recruitment pending resolution of the Petition," the court stated in its ruling.
The order directs the IG and NPSC to file their response within seven days, while the petitioner is allowed the same period to file further affidavits and submissions.
The court also scheduled the next mention on October 21, 2025, to confirm compliance and address highlighted submissions.
