A prolonged leadership dispute between the National Police Service Commission (NPSC) and senior police commanders has reportedly slowed key human resource functions within the National Police Service (NPS), delaying promotions, transfers and other administrative processes.
The standoff, which has persisted for months, has left hundreds of officers in limbo and raised concerns about morale within the service, with sources warning that the impasse could affect operational efficiency if left unresolved.
At the centre of the dispute is a constitutional battle over control of recruitment, promotions and dismissals within the police service. The conflict intensified following the controversial recruitment of 10,000 police officers last October, after police commanders allegedly ignored NPSC guidelines, prompting a legal challenge.
The fallout resulted in a Court of Appeal order issued in February that suspended the exercise of powers relating to promotions and dismissals, pending the hearing and determination of the case.
Since then, the commission has reportedly been unable to hold a full meeting, effectively bringing several human resource functions to a virtual standstill.
Sources familiar with the matter say many officers who successfully completed promotion courses remain in their previous ranks because confirmation by the NPSC is required before promotions can take effect.
The delays have also affected officers appointed to new positions. Some have assumed fresh responsibilities but are yet to receive the ranks associated with their appointments.
Among those affected is General Service Unit Commandant Johana Tonui, who was appointed to head the elite unit but is yet to be formally confirmed to the rank of Senior Assistant Inspector General of Police.
Concern over the growing stalemate prompted Deputy President Kithure Kindiki to convene a meeting last Thursday at his Karen residence, bringing together senior government officials, police commanders and NPSC commissioners in an effort to broker a solution.
Those present included Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen, Interior Principal Secretary Raymond Omollo, Inspector General Douglas Kanja, his deputies Eliud Lagat and Gilbert Masengeli, as well as civilian commissioners and other senior officials.
Sources said one of the key issues discussed was the possibility of withdrawing the court case to allow normal operations to resume. However, after several hours of deliberations, no agreement was reached.
The dispute also extends to control of the police payroll, estimated at Sh60 billion, and broader questions regarding the division of authority between the Inspector General and the NPSC.
In February, the Court of Appeal suspended an earlier ruling by the Employment and Labour Relations Court that had granted the Inspector General exclusive authority over the recruitment, promotion and dismissal of police officers.
The appellate court found that the matter raised significant constitutional questions concerning the interpretation of Articles 245 and 246 of the Constitution and the respective roles of the Inspector General and the commission.
While allowing the recruitment process already underway to continue, the judges halted promotions and dismissals, warning that proceeding before the appeal is determined could create confusion and potentially irreversible consequences.
Government officials are reportedly keen to see the case withdrawn to allow police operations to continue without disruption. However, some civilian commissioners have opposed that move, arguing that the commission’s constitutional mandate is under threat.
“We hope that they (NPSC civilian commissioners) will agree to have the matter withdrawn. Many issues are not moving because of the court case,” said a source who spoke on condition of anonymity.
Efforts to obtain official comment from those who attended the meeting were unsuccessful by the time of publication.
The latest impasse mirrors a similar dispute that delayed the recruitment of 10,000 officers last year before government intervention led to a temporary compromise. However, relations between the two sides have since deteriorated again, leaving critical police administrative functions in limbo.
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