Junior police officers may soon benefit from a clearer and fairer promotion system if Parliament approves a proposed law currently under review by the National Assembly's Administration and Internal Security Committee.

The National Police Service (Amendment) Bill, 2025, introduced by Teso North MP Oku Kaunya, aims to bring structure and fairness to career progression within the police ranks.

It also seeks to cap the retirement age for the Inspector General and their two deputies at 60 years.

According to Kaunya, the Bill is designed to address a long-standing gap in the National Police Service Act, which currently lacks provisions on retirement age and structured promotions for senior positions.

“In the military we don’t have that problem. It is clearly stipulated that after every four years you are promoted, and at 62 you retire,” said Kaunya, comparing the police to the Kenya Defence Forces, which operates under clearly defined regulations outlined in the KDF Act of 2002.

Currently, junior police officers such as constables are eligible for promotion to corporal after three years, subject to passing police law examinations. From there, they can advance to sergeant after receiving the required training.

However, many officers have reported stagnating in the same rank for years due to the lack of a proper framework and what they describe as promotions based on external influence rather than merit.

Kaunya emphasised that the amendment would introduce discipline and order in the promotion system, and ensure a clear path of progression from the lowest to the highest ranks in the service.

The Bill proposes to align police career management with the structure in the KDF, where top leadership including the Chief of Defence Forces, Vice Chief, and service commanders are limited to one four-year term or retirement at 62, whichever comes first. This is in line with the Tonje Rules that govern military leadership transitions.

“The current Act has no age requirement. It exempts officers at the rank of Deputy Inspector General and above from the mandatory retirement age of 60,” Kaunya told the committee.

If passed, the amendment will bar individuals above 60 years from being appointed as Inspector General or Deputy Inspector General.

“The Bill seeks to ensure that appointees to these offices are capable of handling the demanding nature of the job, while also balancing the need for experienced leadership with succession planning,” the Bill states.

Kaunya urged the committee to back the proposal, arguing that it would promote merit-based advancement and prepare the police service for the future.

He also referenced the recent vetting of current Inspector General Douglas Kanja, noting that questions about his age were raised during the process.

Loima MP Protus Akuja supported the proposal, pointing out that the amendment would eliminate such concerns in future appointments.

“This amendment is valid. It will address the age question. If there are exceptions, they should be clearly stated – as is the case in the Public Service Commission,” said Akuja.

Kanja was over 60 years old at the time of his nomination, but the lack of a defined retirement age in the current law did not disqualify him from consideration.