In what would be a very significant step towards modernising the law enforcement infrastructure in Kenya, the Inspector General of Police, Douglas Kanja, has announced that the National Police Service (NPS) will be shifting to an online recruitment system to curb fraud and enhance fairness during all its enlistment campaigns in future.

The new digital platform, expected to be rolled out in the coming months, will allow applicants to submit applications and documents online, track their progress, and receive updates through a centralized web portal.

Speaking before the Senate Committee on National Cohesion, Equal Opportunity, and Regional Integration, Kanja said the new system would leverage technology to eliminate the vulnerabilities in the current in-person recruitment model, where applicants present themselves early in the morning, only to run for nothing.

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“The overwhelming turnout at recruitment centers has led to numerous fraud cases, but this must stop,” said the IG. “An online system will close those gaps.”

Only shortlisted candidates will proceed to in-person physical evaluations, reducing congestion and opportunities for malpractice.

The Senate committee raised concerns about the police force’s ethnic composition, noting its dominance by one community. Kanja, who had appeared with National Police Service Commission CEO Peter Leley, assured lawmakers that the automated system would promote fairness and uniformity, using algorithms to ensure equitable representation by ensuring merit-based selection.

“Transparency and accountability are key to this system,” Leley said. “It will also allow people to report fraud securely and help limit human interference.”

The NPS hasn’t conducted a national recruitment in three years due to budget issues. However, this digital shift is expected to make future hiring more efficient.

Although no exact date was given for when the new system will start, the NPS plans to run public awareness campaigns. These will help people, especially those in rural areas with limited internet access, understand how to use the platform.

1. Must be a Kenyan citizen
2. Must have a Kenya National Identity Card
3. Must have scored a minimum mean grade of D+ (D Plus) in the Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE), or its equivalent, with at least a D+ in English or Kiswahili
4. Must be aged between 18 and 28 years
5. Must meet the integrity requirements in Chapter Six of the Constitution
6. Must be physically and mentally fit
7. Must not have a criminal record or any pending charges

Please let’s remember, there are new police recruitment proposals, including potential changes to requirements, which are largely based on the reforms proposed by the team led by retired Chief Justice David Maraga, the former NPSC Chairman.

For example, there is a push to raise the minimum qualifications for police recruitment from D+ (plus) to C – (minus), and the minimum age for recruitment from 18 to 21 years.

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