Setback for police commission recruitment as selection panel re-advertises top jobs

The recruitment of new officials to the National Police Service Commission (NPSC) has suffered another setback after the selection panel unexpectedly re-advertised the positions of chairperson and member, despite having already concluded interviews and identified suitable candidates.

The move, which was announced through a public notice published on Thursday, has raised fresh questions about the transparency and progress of the selection process.

The panel had completed interviews in April and was expected to forward the list of nominees to President William Ruto for onward transmission to Parliament for vetting and approval.

However, in a fresh advert placed in the dailies, selection panel chairperson Arthur Osiya called for new applications for the commission’s top jobs.

“Pursuant to the provisions of Article 246(2)(a) of the Constitution and Section 5 of the National Police Service Commission Act 2011, the Selection Panel invites applications from suitably qualified persons for the positions of the Chairperson and Member of the National Police Service Commission,” read the advert.

Applications will be accepted until June 12, 2025.

No explanation

No explanation was provided for the restart of the recruitment, which now extends a leadership vacuum at the NPSC.

The commission has been incomplete since the end of the six-year term of former chairperson Eliud Kinuthia and commissioners Alice Otwala, John ole Moyaki, Eusebius Laibut and Lilian Kiamba, who exited office in March.

The continued absence of new leadership could slow down key operations, including the recruitment of new police constables, a process that requires a substantive chairperson to proceed.

The earlier recruitment process had seen nine candidates shortlisted for the position of chairperson and 29 for the member slots.

Among those listed for the chairperson role were former Busia Deputy Governor Kizito Wangalwa, Ex-IEBC commissioner Margaret Mwachanya, former IPOA board member Doreen Nkatha, former Principal Secretary Micah Powon, former MP Humphrey Kimani, John Mutegi, Susan Oyatsi, John Otieno, and the late Komora Mubadi Jilo, who tragically collapsed and died at the Public Service Commission offices on March 25, 2025, moments before his interview.

The incident briefly disrupted the interview schedule.

Requirements

In the new advert, for one to be appointed as the chairperson of the NPSC, they must be a Kenyan citizen, hold a degree from a university recognised in Kenya, meet the leadership and integrity requirements outlined in Chapter Six of the Constitution, and must not be a current or former member of the National Police Service.

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Applicants interested in the member position must also be Kenyan citizens and hold a degree from a university recognised in Kenya.

They must also have at least 10 years of experience in areas such as finance and administration, economics, public administration, human resource management, labour laws, law, human rights, ethics and governance, mediation and consensus building, or change management.

The candidate must meet the standards of Chapter Six of the Constitution, must not be or have been a member of the police service, and should have had a distinguished career in their respective field.

The selection panel outlined several disqualification criteria.

Eligibility

A person is not eligible for nomination as chairperson or member of the NPSC if they are or have been a Member of Parliament or county assembly within the past five years, unless one general election has taken place since they left office.

Also disqualified are serving state officers, members of political party governing bodies, undischarged bankrupts, persons convicted of felonies, and those previously removed from office for violating the Constitution or any other law.

The panel noted that the names of shortlisted candidates will be published in print media. Those who are shortlisted will be required to present original copies of several documents during interviews.

These include their national identity card, academic and professional certificates, transcripts, testimonials, and additional supporting documentation. They will also be required to submit clearance certificates from the Kenya Revenue Authority, the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission, the Higher Education Loans Board, any registered credit reference bureau, and the Directorate of Criminal Investigations.

For those with foreign degrees, recognition letters from the Commission for University Education must be provided, alongside recommendations from any relevant professional bodies where applicable.

Salaries and benefits

The panel noted that the salaries and benefits for the advertised positions have already been set by the Salaries and Remuneration Commission. Both the Chairperson and the Member will serve for a single term of six years and will not be eligible for reappointment.

Applications must be submitted not later than June 12, 2025.

Interested individuals can either hand-deliver their documents to the office of the secretary/CEO at the Public Service Commission on the 4th Floor of Commission House along Harambee Avenue, send them via post, or submit them online in PDF format via email to [email protected].

Applications should be clearly labelled depending on the position being sought.

The NPSC, established under Article 246 of the Constitution, plays a central role in police operations. Its mandate includes recruitment, appointments, confirmation of service, promotions, transfers, and disciplinary control over members of the National Police Service, including dismissal following due process.

The outgoing team was appointed in March 2019 and served a non-renewable six-year term. With the unexpected re-advertisement of the posts, the wait for a new commission is now set to continue.