IG Kanja: Police recruitment exercise was smooth and successful

The nationwide police recruitment drive ended smoothly on Monday, with Inspector General Douglas Kanja declaring the exercise a success across all 427 centers.

Kanja said the process to enlist 10,000 suitably qualified youth to be trained as police constables was carried out without major challenges, marking what he described as a well-coordinated national effort. He noted that all recruitment stations across the country were active throughout the day.

"I am here to review the ongoing recruitment exercise. The exercise has commenced today in all the 427 recruitment centres across the country," Kanja said during one of his monitoring visits.

The IG said he had toured several regions to observe the progress firsthand and confirmed that the teams overseeing the process had maintained order and ensured fairness. He emphasised that the turnout had been encouraging and that the service remained confident of meeting its target.

"I am from Narok. They have done well. I am in Machakos now, and the exercise has been smooth since morning. I am looking forward to having the numbers that we are targeting by the close of the exercise at around 5.00 pm," he said.

Kanja stressed that the recruitment of new officers was crucial, especially because no intake had taken place over the past three years. He said the 10,000 recruits would help reinforce the service as it prepares for future national needs, including the 2027 general elections.

This number is coming in at a critical time because we need to add strength to the service. At the same time, we are also focused on the 2027 general elections and going forward. So, this number is coming at a critical time. It's a reformist group that is going to join the service," he said.

The IG added that the National Police Service would continue guiding the new recruits as part of its ongoing tansformation and reform agenda.

"So far, even from the other areas, the exercise is continuing well. I look forward to the exercise being concluded in a timely manner and also getting the right people to join the service," he said.

The recruitment follows an October 31 advertisement placed by the National Police Service in major daily newspapers, announcing opportunities for 10,000 young Kenyans to join the service as constables.

The exercise began at 8.00 am and came to an end at 5.00 pm across all designated centres.

According to the service, the successful candidates will form a new cohort of officers expected to bolster policing operations and strengthen the reformist agenda being implemented across the service.

Officials said the intake would play an important role in enhancing the police-to-population ratio and improving overall service delivery.

The successful young men and women will now await the next steps, including verification and training placement, as the National Police Service moves to reinforce its ranks after years without new enlistment