Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen has unveiled sweeping changes in the police service aimed at ending years of rank stagnation and boosting morale among officers.

The reforms include automatic, merit-based promotions for officers who have been stuck in the same rank for decades, doing away with the lengthy wait times that have frustrated many in the force.

Speaking during the Jukwaa la Usalama meeting in Kericho, Murkomen announced that all police constables aged 50 and above will now be promoted on merit without having to wait until they turn 53, as previously required.

“All the constables who are above 50 years will be promoted on merit automatically,” he said. “Wasonge kwa merit.”

The directive also covers corporals and sergeants who have held the same rank for over 15 years, as well as inspectors who have served for more than a decade without advancement.

Murkomen emphasised that promotions will no longer rely solely on interviews but will instead be linked to mandatory training.

“I like the proposal said here — you will all be promoted on merit, lakini muende course ndiyo mupate capacity,” he told officers. “We will ensure that all of them are trained after promotion.”

The CS criticised the absence of a dedicated training budget in the police service, calling it a gap that has hindered growth and professionalism.

“If there’s one public service department without a budget for training, it’s the police. We’ve said that must change,” he said.

Murkomen said a new training framework will be introduced, starting with Officers Commanding Stations (OCSs) and service commanders of specialised units.

The move is expected to impact hundreds of officers who have been in the same position for years and forms part of wider police reforms meant to improve efficiency, professionalism, and job satisfaction in the service.