13/08/2025
Police Recruitment Regulations 2025
Nairobi , August 10th 2025, By Wendy Sheilla
NPSC to Hold Public Forum on Police Recruitment Regulations 2025
The National Police Service Commission (NPSC) held a meeting today Monday 10th August 2025, host a public participation forum in Nairobi to receive views on the proposed Recruitment and Appointment Regulations 2025. The meeting, set to start at 8:30 a.m., is part of a series of consultations being conducted to refine and finalise the regulations before their adoption and gaze According to NPSC, the process is anchored in the constitutional requirement for public participation and aims to ensure that the regulations guiding police recruitment and appointment are transparent, inclusive, and responsive to the needs and expectations of Kenyans.
In a statement ahead of the forum, the commission emphasised that the Recruitment and Appointment Regulations 2025 will be critical in shaping the future of the National Police Service by outlining the procedures, eligibility requirements, and ethical standards for new recruits and appointed officers. NPSC said the draft regulations have been designed to close gaps identified in past recruitment exercises, which have occasionally faced criticism over alleged irregularities, nepotism, and corruption.
The commission noted that it is determined to address these challenges through clearer guidelines, stronger vetting processes, and stricter enforcement of merit-based selection. It added that the new framework will also integrate provisions to promote inclusivity, ensuring that women, persons with disabilities, and individuals from marginalised regions are better represented in the service.
Security sector analysts have pointed out that recruitment is a decisive stage in determining the overall professionalism and effectiveness of the police service. They say that officers’ integrity, discipline, and commitment to upholding the law often trace back to the standards applied at the point of entry. The NPSC says it is committed to ensuring that every step of the process from advertising vacancies, receiving applications, conducting physical and medical evaluations, to administering aptitude tests and interviews is conducted in a fair and accountable manner.
The public participation session in Nairobi will be the first in a series of forums planned for different parts of the country. These gatherings will allow residents to present their views in person, while others can send written submissions through email or other channels provided by the commission. The NPSC has said all submissions will be recorded and considered in the preparation of the final version of the regulations.
Civil society groups have welcomed the commission’s decision to hold open consultations, noting that involving the public is key to improving trust between the police and the communities they serve. Some stakeholders have also called for the regulations to include strong measures for deterring and punishing malpractice during recruitment. They argue that unless such safeguards are clearly defined and enforced, challenges from past years could persist despite the new framework.
Kenya has been implementing a range of police reforms since the promulgation of the 2010 Constitution, with goals that include enhancing professionalism, respect for human rights, and community-oriented policing. The Recruitment and Appointment Regulations 2025 are expected to align with these broader reforms and further strengthen the legal and procedural basis for bringing new officers into the service.
The commission has reiterated that the public participation process is not a symbolic formality but a genuine effort to capture diverse opinions and experiences. It says that by drawing on the knowledge of communities, civil society, and security experts, the final regulations will be more comprehensive and capable of addressing the realities of policing in Kenya.
Tomorrow’s forum will provide an opportunity for direct interaction between the commission and the public, enabling questions to be answered and clarifications to be made about the draft regulations. NPSC has encouraged all who are able to attend to do so, stressing that policing is a shared responsibility and that the quality of officers recruited has a direct impact on the safety and security of all Kenyans.
Members of the public who wish to attend have been asked to confirm their participation by contacting Gerald Gichura on 0700 513 634. The commission has assured that all contributions, whether made in person or through written submissions, will receive due consideration.
Following the completion of the consultation process in all targeted regions, NPSC will prepare a comprehensive report summarising the feedback received. This report will form the basis for revising the draft regulations before they are finalised and forwarded for gazettement. Once in force, the Recruitment and Appointment Regulations 2025 will become the definitive reference point for all future recruitment exercises in the National Police Service.
Stakeholders have expressed hope that the process will result in a fair, transparent, and merit-based system that will attract qualified, disciplined, and ethical individuals into the police service. They have also called on the commission to ensure that the regulations are effectively enforced and regularly reviewed to respond to emerging challenges in policing.
As the country awaits the outcome of the consultations, tomorrow’s forum marks a significant step towards embedding transparency and accountability in the recruitment and appointment of police officers, reflecting both constitutional ideals and the public’s demand for a police service they can trust.
