The Ministry of Interior has announced major reforms to transform the National Police Service, including changes to the police recruitment rules that will open new pathways into the service beyond the traditional KCSE entry requirement.
Under the new framework, KCSE will no longer be the only qualification for entry into the police service.
The Ministry said the reforms are intended to broaden police recruitment opportunities and attract candidates with diverse academic and professional backgrounds.
A key feature of the plan is the introduction of graduate cadet officers. The recruits will be drawn from individuals with university degrees and specialized training in fields such as law, criminology, forensic science, information technology, and public administration.
“We are also expanding pathways into policing. A KCSE certificate will no longer be the only route for eligible candidates,” the Ministry said.
“The recruitment of graduate cadet officers with specialized expertise is another reform we are pursuing to strengthen professionalism and leadership within the Service.”
Interior Principal Secretary Raymond Omollo said that in the last recruitment exercise, the bulk of recruits were constables, with only 10 percent of the 10,000 recruited being cadets.
“In the last recruitment exercise, the bulk of recruits were constables. However, we have also reintroduced specialized skill sets into the recruitment process, so that not only individuals who have completed KCSE are entering the service,” he said.
“We are also bringing in graduates into the service to infuse professionalism and to address other gaps that have been observed over the years.”
Omollo said the move is aimed at strengthening leadership capacity within the service by integrating officers with advanced academic and technical expertise into command and specialist roles.
Interior Principal Secretary Raymond Omollo also revealed that the government is seeking a cumulative budget allocation of about Ksh2 billion to support police recruitment and improve officers’ welfare.
He said the funds will go toward ongoing salary reviews, recruitment of additional officers, and expansion of housing projects for security personnel across the country.
“Cumulatively, we’re looking at a budget of around Ksh2 billion,” he said.
Omollo noted that the allocation is meant to address key gaps within the National Police Service, particularly in recruitment and welfare programmes aimed at improving service delivery.
He further explained that the government is working to bridge the officer-to-population ratio in line with international standards, which recommend one police officer for every 400 citizens.
He said Kenya previously stood at about 1:500, necessitating increased recruitment.
The PS further noted that recruitment within the police service is a continuous process due to natural attrition from retirements and other exits from the force.
“Over time, there’s the issue of attrition. This is not about next year’s elections, it’s about service to mwananchi,” he added, dismissing claims that recruitment exercises are politically motivated.
In the background of these reforms, the Government is also moving to roll out body-worn cameras for selected police units.
The technology is expected to enhance transparency during police operations, improve accountability, and strengthen evidence collection in interactions.
