Justice Bahati Mwamuye has issued conservatory orders stopping the recruitment of 10,000 police constables by the National Police Service pending a court hearing.
A legal twist has emerged in Kenya’s police recruitment after the High Court issued conservatory orders halting the process. The ruling, delivered by Justice Bahati Mwamuye on Monday, November 10, stops the National Police Service (NPS) from proceeding with its planned recruitment of 10,000 constables scheduled for November 17, 2025.
The court acted on a petition filed by activist Eliud Matindi, who argued that the recruitment exercise, announced by Inspector General Douglas Kanja, failed to adhere to constitutional and procedural standards. Justice Mwamuye ordered an immediate suspension of the recruitment notice pending determination of the petition.
The order restrains all government bodies, agencies, and individuals from facilitating or participating in the recruitment until the case is concluded. The petitioner was also instructed to serve the respondents with court documents by November 12.
Justice Mwamuye cautioned that violating the court’s directives would attract penal consequences, emphasizing judicial independence and adherence to the rule of law.
The ruling adds another layer of complexity to an already disputed process. Just days earlier, Justice Hellen Wasilwa ruled that the National Police Service Commission (NPSC) cannot recruit police officers, affirming that the mandate lies solely with the NPS.
With the court’s latest intervention, the recruitment remains in limbo, leaving thousands of qualified youth uncertain about the future of their applications.
