By Bonface Mulyungi
A total of 16 candidates have been shortlisted for the position of Chairperson of the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA), with the selection panel now setting out interview dates for early June 2026.
The chairperson will preside over the Authority’s board, which plays a key role in strengthening accountability and transparency within the National Police Service.
In a notice, the panel said the process was guided by Section 11(3) of the Independent Policing Oversight Authority Act, Cap 86, which required the recruitment of a suitably qualified person for the position of Chairperson of the IPOA Board.
The advertisement was first published in the print media on April 28, 2026 and April 30, 2026, and closed on May 19, 2026.
After reviewing the submissions, the panel settled on 16 candidates who will now proceed to the interview stage.
The interviews will be conducted from June 3 to 5, 2026, at the Public Service Commission offices along Harambee Avenue, Nairobi, with candidates required to arrive at least 20 minutes before their allocated time.
Applicants are required to present original copies of their National Identity Card, academic and professional certificates, transcripts, and any other supporting documents during the interview.
They must also provide valid and current clearances from the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA), Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC), Higher Education Loans Board (HELB), any registered credit reference bureau, and a Police Clearance Certificate from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI).
In addition, candidates with foreign qualifications must present recognition letters from the Commission for University Education (CUE), while those registered with professional bodies are required to bring relevant recommendations.
The panel has also opened a public participation window, urging members of the public to submit any credible information regarding the shortlisted candidates through affidavits.
“Members of the public are invited to provide any credible information of interest relating to any of the shortlisted candidates through affidavits by hand delivery to the Office of the Secretary/CEO, Public Service Commission situated on the 4th floor of Commission House, Harambe Avenue, Nairobi on or before Friday, 29th May 2026,” reads the notice.
The recruitment process is anchored on strict constitutional and legal requirements. Candidates must be Kenyan citizens, hold a university degree, and meet qualifications equivalent to those of a High Court judge under Article 166(5) of the Constitution.
This includes at least 10 years of experience as a superior court judge, magistrate, advocate, or recognised academic in a relevant legal field. They must also comply with Chapter Six of the Constitution on leadership and integrity.
To protect the independence of the office, the panel barred serving political office holders, members of political parties, and individuals who retired from the police service within the last five years.
Also disqualified were applicants with conflicts of interest, such as IPOA suppliers, persons convicted of dishonesty-related offences, undischarged bankrupts, and individuals deemed mentally unfit to perform the role.
The successful candidate will serve a single six-year term, with remuneration determined by the Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC) in line with state officer guidelines.
The authority last had Anne Makori, who served a single six-year term that ended in 2015, as its chairperson.
In January 2026, Ahmed Issack Hassan, former Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) chair, was appointed to head IPOA after vetting. However, he resigned in February 2026 after being appointed to the Court of Appeal, creating the current vacancy.
