IG Kanja warns against bribery ahead of nationwide police recruitment

Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja said officers have been fully trained on the standards expected during the exercise to guarantee a fair and transparent process.
Kenyans have been warned against engaging in corruption during the upcoming national police recruitment exercise, with Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja cautioning that both givers and takers of bribes will face serious consequences.
The seven-day recruitment for 10,000 police constables is set to run from October 3 to October 9, 2025, across 416 centres nationwide.
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Speaking during a briefing for the joint recruitment panels at the Administration Police College, Embakasi “A” Campus in Nairobi, Kanja said officers have been fully trained on the standards expected during the exercise to guarantee a fair and transparent process.
“Let us be fair and above board in the whole exercise. Be fair to the recruits,” he told the officers taking part.
The IG warned that offering money to recruiting officers, middlemen, or anyone claiming influence will result in disqualification and could lead to prosecution.
He further stated that presenting fake documents, including forged certificates, medical reports, or identification, would also result in immediate rejection and possible legal action.
“To my fellow officers involved in the exercise, I strongly call on you to uphold the highest professional standards. Any engagement in malpractices will have dire consequences, including dismissal and criminal charges,” Kanja added.
He assured that oversight teams will conduct impromptu inspections to monitor accountability and urged the public to report any irregularities they observe.
Candidates are required to meet strict academic and physical requirements, including being Kenyan citizens aged between 18 and 28 and holding a minimum grade of D- in the Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE). They will also undergo rigorous assessments to test their physical and mental aptitude for policing duties.
Commission Chairperson Amani Komora said the NPSC will provide full support to ensure transparency, merit-based selection, and accountability throughout the exercise.
Vice Chairperson Professor Collette Suda called on panel members to deliver a process beyond reproach, while CEO Peter Leley cautioned that any misconduct would attract personal responsibility.
Other officials present at the briefing included Deputy Chairperson Professor Collette Suda, Deputy Inspector General of the Kenya Police Service Eliud Lagat, Deputy Inspector General of the
Administration Police Service, Gilbert Masengeli, Director of the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI), Mohamed Amin, and NPSC commissioners Edwin Cheluget, Peris Muthoni, and Angeline Siparo.
The recruitment exercise comes after a four-year hiatus, which has contributed to a shortage of police officers. Internal disagreements over selection criteria had threatened to delay the process, but intervention by top political leaders ensured the exercise would proceed under the traditional panel system.
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