The National Police Service (NPS) has postponed the police recruitment exercise that was scheduled to begin on Friday, October 3, 2025.
In a statement on Thursday, the NPS said the decision followed an order of the Employment and Labour Relations Court.
The police noted that the court directed the recruitment be halted until further notice and as a result, the nationwide exercise will not proceed as earlier planned.
“The police recruitment exercise scheduled to commence on 3rd October 2025 has been postponed until further notice,” the statement read.
The National Police Service explained that it is working closely with the National Police Service Commission to address the legal challenge.
The Service said it is actively pursuing appropriate legal remedies to ensure that the recruitment exercise resumes at the earliest possible opportunity.
“The National Police Service, in conjunction with the National Police Service Commission, is actively pursuing appropriate legal remedies to ensure the recruitment exercise can resume at the earliest opportunity,” the statement added.
While acknowledging the setback, the NPS reiterated its commitment to upholding the rule of law and complying with court orders.
“As a service, we remain committed to upholding the rule of law and complying with court orders.”
The decision follows a ruling by Lady Justice Hellen Wasilwa delivered the ruling on Thursday, October 2, 2025, issuing an interim conservatory order stoping the entire recruitment.
"Interim conservatory order is hereby issued, staying the entire recruitment pending resolution of the Petition," the court stated.
The Petition, No. E196 of 2025, filed by Harun Mwau.
Both the Inspector General and the National Police Service Commission are required to submit their responses within seven days, while the petitioner may file additional affidavits in the same timeframe.
The court set the next mention for October 21, 2025, to verify compliance and hear further submissions.
The ruling came hours after a separate petition by civil society group Sheria Mtaani and activist Shadrach Wambui was withdrawn.
The petitioners said appeals from young Kenyans who had already travelled to recruitment centres influenced their decision.
According to Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen who has appealed to the Judiciary to lift a court order halting the recruitment exercise, the country urgently needs more officers to safeguard its security.
“It is very critical for the safety of our country to recruit those police officers urgently, not just for anything else, but to secure our borders.”
The CS pointed out that many officers have retired or passed on, creating a gap in the service that must be urgently filled.
He added that the new recruits need to undergo training in time to support the next elections.
Murkomen further expressed hope that the judge who issued the order would consider the country’s security needs.
“I hope that the judge will watch my speech so that I don’t need to call her and will apply reason to make sure that process is opened very quickly,” he said.