Court asked to block police recruitment over payroll management dispute
The petitioners contend that payroll management is not a routine clerical task but a central human resource function.
A Nairobi-based public interest group has gone to court seeking to stop the planned hiring of 10,000 police officers, arguing that the exercise should not proceed while a constitutional dispute over payroll management within the National Police Service (NPS) remains unresolved.
The application, filed on September 9, 2025, by Sheria Mtaani and lawyer Shadrack Wambui, asks the High Court to issue conservatory orders against the Inspector General of Police, Douglas Kanja and the NPS.
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The group insists that conducting the recruitment now would compromise an ongoing case that questions whether payroll management belongs to the Inspector General or the National Police Service Commission (NPSC).
The petitioners contend that payroll management is not a routine clerical task but a central human resource function.
They say it directly affects recruitment, promotions, transfers, suspensions, interdictions, and disciplinary actions.
“Any change to its custody or management has far-reaching implications,” their court papers state.
In their filing, they caution that going ahead with the recruitment before the issue is settled would interfere with the judicial process.
“If recruitment proceeds before this question is determined, payroll entries for the 10,000 recruits will be made under an authority whose constitutional mandate is in dispute, thereby prejudicing the role of the Commission,” the group argues.
Records show that the petition was filed on August 11 and served on August 14 after the court directed that all parties respond within seven days. To date, no responses have been filed in opposition.
The petitioners argue this makes their case stand uncontested and requires urgent hearing.
“It is in the interest of justice that this matter be certified urgent, heard on a priority basis, and conservatory orders issued as prayed to prevent constitutional infringement,” they state.
The group now wants the court to suspend the recruitment until the payroll matter is conclusively determined.
This fresh court action comes only days after the National Police Service and the NPSC publicly declared they would put aside their disputes and work together in the interest of Kenyans.
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