Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen arrives at Parliament Buildings on November 5, 2025./HANDOUT
Police officers who travel to Nairobi to attend promotion interviews are entitled to allowances, Interior Affairs Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen says.
However, Murkomen has regretted that the per diem for the officers is often delayed due to funding challenges, compelling them to rely on their own transport.
The CS said that promotion board interviews are considered official duty, and as such, officers attending these interviews are entitled to per diem allowances and transport facilitation.
“These are to be provided through their immediate supervisors, who are the designated holders of the Authority to Incur Expenditure (AIE),” Murkomen told senators.
However, he regretted that the disbursement of AIEs to field commanders has occasionally experienced delays, resulting in the late payment of allowances to officers.
“Moreover, some police stations currently lack serviceable motor vehicles, which has further complicated the facilitation of transport. As a result, many officers have been compelled to make personal transport arrangements to attend these important career advancement opportunities.”
Murkomen was in the Senate to respond to a raft of questions, among them inquiries by Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna.
Sifuna sought to know why police officers travelling across the country to Nairobi County for the National Police Service Promotion Board interviews are never facilitated with transport and accommodation, despite the interviews being part of official duties.
“To address this persistent challenge, the Ministry is actively engaging with the National Treasury to streamline and prioritize the disbursement of exchequer to ensure that all operational and welfare-related financial obligations are met in a timely and predictable manner,” Murkomen said.
Additionally, the Ministry, according to the CS, in collaboration with the National Police Service leadership, has initiated a fleet improvement plan aimed at progressively equipping stations and posts with functional transport assets.
“These reforms are aligned with the recommendations of the 2023/2024 Police and Prisons Service Reforms Taskforce, which called for enhanced logistical support, decentralization of operational resources, and a robust welfare framework for all officers.”
Sifuna also wanted an explanation for the delay in the release of results of the National Police Service Board interviews conducted in Nairobi between 10th and 14th February 2025.
Murkomen explained that the promotion process begins with the identification and allocation of vacancies across various ranks at the NPS Headquarters.
Following this, the Inspector General instructs the respective services to convene promotion boards and submit lists of successful candidates.
The interview process is structured into five progressive levels, designed to ensure transparency, fairness, and distribution of opportunities down to the lowest police units.
At the conclusion of each level, candidates are interviewed and ranked. Those who attain the highest scores are notified to proceed to the next level, while others are encouraged to reapply in future exercises.
“Only the final list of successful candidates, who are not required to undergo further interviews, is submitted to the Inspector General, based on merit and performance. This multi-tiered process may result in perceived delays but is necessary to uphold meritocracy and fairness, in full compliance with Chapter 34 of the National Police Service Standing Orders,” Murkomen added.
The CS said the exercise was conducted in line with the law and makes consideration for regional, ethnic, and gender qualifications, among other criteria.
“The process incorporated key selection criteria, including ethnic and regional balance, affirmative action, individual performance and appraisal records, length of service, successful completion of police law examinations and promotional courses, and the maintenance of a clean and satisfactory disciplinary record.”
Murkomen added, “The welfare, morale, and career progression of officers remain a priority of the Ministry of Interior and National Administration. We shall continue to take necessary steps to ensure that promotion processes are not only fair and inclusive but also timely and well-supported.”
