A Nairobi lawyer has filed a petition at the High Court seeking to stop Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja, the National Police Service, and the Attorney General from taking control of the police payroll.

The petition, filed on Wednesday through Sheria Mtaani, asks the Milimani High Court for temporary orders to prevent any changes to the payroll until the case is heard and decided.

“Until this case is fully heard, we want the court to order that the payroll remains as it is, with no deletions, alterations, or changes,” the petition states.

Lawyer Shadrach Wambui, represented by Danstan Omari, wants the court to bar the IG, NPS, AG, or anyone working under them from managing, altering, or interfering with payroll systems and records.

He warns that any interference could compromise the work of the National Police Service Commission, which is responsible for recruiting, promoting, and disciplining officers.

Wambui says the payroll is more than a salary system. It is a critical tool for human resource management, reflecting decisions on recruitment, transfers, suspensions, promotions, and disciplinary actions. He argues that handing control to the IG or NPS could disrupt these processes and even pose risks to national security.

The petition stresses that the NPSC, listed as the first interested party, has the sole legal mandate to manage the payroll. Allowing the IG or NPS to take over would, according to Wambui, contravene the law and undermine the established system.

The lawyer is now seeking a temporary injunction to ensure the IG and NPS do not interfere with the payroll until the court resolves the matter. The case is set to be heard at the Milimani High Court in Nairobi.