The High Court has temporarily suspended the planned recruitment of police constables scheduled for November 17, 2025, reigniting a long-running dispute over who has the legal authority to hire officers into the National Police Service.
Justice Bahati Mwamuye issued the conservatory orders following a petition filed by activist Eliud Matindi, who accused the Inspector General of Police (IG) of usurping the powers of the National Police Service Commission (NPSC).
“Pending the inter partes hearing and determination of the Petitioner’s application dated 6 November 2025, a conservatory order is hereby issued suspending the Notice of Recruitment of Police Constables issued on 4 November 2025 by the 1st Respondent,” the order reads.
In his petition, Matindi argued that under Article 246(3)(a) of the Constitution, only the NPSC is empowered to recruit police officers, not the Inspector General. He told the court that while the NPSC had earlier announced plans to recruit 10,000 officers, the exercise was halted in October following another court order in a separate case filed by former MP Harun Mwau.
Despite that suspension, the Inspector General went ahead to advertise a fresh recruitment drive across 422 centres nationwide, prompting Matindi’s challenge.
Justice Mwamuye agreed that the case raises serious constitutional and public interest issues regarding the separation of powers within the police service, and ordered that no recruitment should proceed until the petition is heard and determined.
