The National Police Service (NPS) has lost a staggering 4,569 officers since the last recruitment of police constables in 2022, Inspector-General Douglas Kanja revealed on Tuesday.
Speaking before the National Assembly’s Internal Security Committee at Parliament Buildings in Nairobi, Kanja painted a sobering picture of the force’s dwindling numbers and its far-reaching implications.
Of the total, 1,206 officers have died, while 326 have resigned and 289 were dismissed over the past three years.
An additional 2,563 officers exited through mandatory retirement, with 95 retiring under the 12–20 years of service rule and 58 leaving after reaching the age of 50. Thirty more were retired in the public interest, and two departed for medical reasons.
The attrition has hit the Kenya Police Service (KPS) the hardest, accounting for more than half of the total exits.
The NPS is composed of three main branches: the Kenya Police Service (KPS), the Administration Police (AP), and the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI).
“The attrition of 4,569 officers from NPS since the last recruitment exercise in 2022 has significant implications for staffing levels, operational capacity, and strategic planning within the service,” Kanja told legislators.
He warned that the rapid depletion of personnel has created a critical imbalance in the rank structure, strained existing staff, and impaired the service’s ability to respond to emergencies, conduct investigations, and maintain regular patrols.
Lawmakers expressed concern over the growing gap in the force and urged urgent measures to address the shortfall, including accelerated recruitment, better welfare support, and long-term succession planning.
As insecurity and crime trends evolve, the NPS faces mounting pressure to maintain law and order with fewer boots on the ground, raising questions about the sustainability of its operations and the urgent need for systemic reforms.
Written By Rodney Mbua
