Inspector-General Douglas Kanja has approved the promotion of 1,948 police officers.
The Court of Appeal upheld the Inspector-General’s authority over uniformed officers, clearing a legal hurdle that had stalled career advancement.
Inspector-General Douglas Kanja has approved police promotions for 1,948 officers following a Court of Appeal ruling on his command powers. The decision clears a legal hurdle that had delayed their career advancement.
The National Police Service (NPS) said the officers completed the required promotional courses and met the prescribed conditions. However, its announcement did not identify the individual ranks affected.
Kanja congratulated the officers and urged them to uphold professionalism, integrity and diligence in their new roles. He also stressed that higher rank brings greater responsibility, including fair and accountable service that respects the law.
Court ruling clears path for police promotions
The Court of Appeal dismissed consolidated appeals by the National Police Service Commission (NPSC) and the Law Society of Kenya (LSK). Both had challenged a judgment limiting the commission’s authority over uniformed police officers.
Justices Patrick Kiage, Jamila Mohammed and Jessie Lesiit upheld the earlier Employment and Labour Relations Court decision. As a result, that judgment remains in force.
The appellate judges held that the Constitution protects the Inspector-General’s independent command over the Service. This includes decisions on employment, assignment, promotion, suspension and dismissal of uniformed officers.
They also found that neither the Cabinet Secretary nor the commission could direct the Inspector-General on those matters. The ruling therefore affirmed his authority over the management of sworn officers.
Recruitment dispute triggered legal battle
The dispute began after the commission advertised police constable vacancies on September 19, 2025. It also published regulations governing the recruitment exercise.
Former legislator John Harun Mwau challenged those actions in court. On October 30, 2025, Justice Hellen Wasilwa ruled that the commission lacked constitutional authority to recruit and manage uniformed officers.
She declared the recruitment regulations unconstitutional and barred the commission from recruiting, training or employing members of the Service. The order also covered assigning, promoting, suspending and dismissing officers.
The NPSC and LSK appealed, arguing that the commission’s constitutional mandate included police recruitment and appointment. However, the appellate court rejected their arguments and left the earlier judgment intact.
Commission retains civilian personnel role
The judges distinguished sworn officers from civilian employees who provide support services within the NPS. These include administrative, technical, accounting, information technology, medical and legal functions.
While the Inspector-General commands uniformed officers, the commission retains responsibility for managing civilian personnel.
Kanja welcomed the outcome as an affirmation of the Service’s constitutional framework. He also indicated that officers awaiting advancement, particularly those who had completed promotional courses, would progress without further delay.
The NPS said it expects the promotions to improve operational efficiency and service delivery. It linked the advancement to wider reforms aimed at building a professional, responsive and accountable police service.
