By Andrew Kariuki
A case challenging the ongoing police recruitment exercise has been withdrawn, clearing the way for the enlistment of 10,000 new officers.
The petition had been filed by civil society group Sheria Mtaani alongside activist Shadrack Wambui. When the matter came up before Justice Lawrence Mugambi at the Milimani High Court, their lawyer Danstan Omari said the petitioners had received overwhelming feedback from across the country.
“Many young people had already travelled to recruitment centres using limited resources,” Omari told the court, adding that blocking the exercise would not serve the wider public interest.
He further explained that the petitioners had received “more than 20,000 calls and messages” from youth and parents urging them to step aside and allow the process to proceed.
Lawyer Paul Nyamodi, representing Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja, did not oppose the withdrawal, a stance supported by the other parties in the case.
Justice Mugambi allowed the application, ruling: “I find no reason to deny the application for withdrawal. The matter is hereby withdrawn with no orders as to costs.”
Sheria Mtaani, through lawyers Shadrack Wambui, Danstan Omari, and Cliff Ombeta, had initially sought to suspend the recruitment, arguing that it raised constitutional questions over the roles of the Inspector-General and the National Police Service Commission (NPSC). The Attorney General opposed the petition, warning that halting the exercise would disrupt the police command structure.
With the case now out of the way, the NPSC will proceed with the nationwide recruitment under the new 2025 regulations. For the first time, the entire process will be conducted online in a bid to promote transparency and curb corruption.
Out of the 10,000 vacancies, 4,000 have been reserved for graduates of the National Youth Service.
Photos of Lawyer Omari and also of the bench
