A Nairobi court has officially cleared the way for Kenya’s nationwide police recruitment exercise scheduled for tomorrow, following the withdrawal of a petition that had sought to block the process. The recruitment drive, which aims to hire approximately 10,000 officers, is seen as a significant step toward strengthening national security and meeting international commitments.
Petition Withdrawn After Public Pressure
The case had been filed at the High Court by civil society group Sheria Mtaani alongside activist Shadrach Wambui. The petition challenged the recruitment process on constitutional grounds, questioning the respective roles of the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) and the National Police Service Commission (NPSC).
However, during Tuesday’s hearing before Justice Lawrence Mugambi at the Milimani High Court, petitioners, through their lawyer Danstan Omari, confirmed their decision to withdraw. Omari told the court that the petitioners had received overwhelming feedback from the public, particularly from young people and parents, urging them not to stop the exercise.
“We have received more than 20,000 calls and messages from Kenyan youth who have already travelled to recruitment centres at their own expense. Blocking the process at this stage would cause great inconvenience and go against public interest,” Omari stated.
Court Allows Recruitment to Proceed
Justice Mugambi granted the request for withdrawal, noting that there was no reason to deny the application. He further directed that there would be no orders as to costs.
Lawyer Paul Nyamodi, representing Inspector-General of Police Douglas Kanja and other parties in the matter, did not oppose the withdrawal. The Attorney General’s office had earlier warned that halting the exercise could undermine the police command structure and interfere with the constitutional mandate of the IGP.
“I find no reason to deny the application for withdrawal. The matter is hereby withdrawn with no orders as to costs,” ruled Justice Mugambi.
Why the Recruitment Matters
The recruitment of 10,000 officers comes at a time when the National Police Service is under pressure to expand its capacity ahead of the 2027 General Election and international deployments such as the peacekeeping mission in Haiti.
The drive is also expected to provide critical employment opportunities for thousands of young Kenyans at a time when youth unemployment remains one of the country’s biggest socio-economic challenges.
For many applicants, the recruitment represents both job security and a chance to contribute to national and international security operations. Recruitment centres across the country are already seeing large turnouts, with young men and women eager to undergo the selection process.
A Win for Youth Aspirations
The decision to drop the case has been welcomed by parents, community leaders, and youth groups who argued that blocking the recruitment would unfairly punish thousands of qualified applicants.
“This exercise is not just about jobs; it’s about securing the country’s future,” said one parent waiting at a Nairobi recruitment centre. “We thank the court for allowing it to proceed.”
What Comes Next
With the legal hurdles cleared, the recruitment process will proceed as scheduled tomorrow at designated centres nationwide. Approximately 10,000 recruits are expected to join the service, marking one of the largest single intakes in recent years.
The National Police Service has assured Kenyans that the recruitment will be conducted transparently, fairly, and in strict adherence to constitutional provisions and recruitment guidelines.