The National Police Service Commission (NPSC) has urged the National Assembly to allocate additional funds to facilitate the recruitment of new police officers and implement key reforms within the service.
Speaking before the House Committee on Security, NPSC CEO Peter Leley emphasized the need for increased financial support, despite the commission being allocated Ksh1.33 billion for the 2025/26 fiscal year. He highlighted that additional funding is crucial to addressing various operational and structural needs within the police force.
“We have several key initiatives that require funding, among them the recruitment of 10,000 new officers this year and the implementation of the Maraga Police Reforms,” Leley explained. The commission is responsible for recruiting and appointing individuals to serve in the police service, ensuring the country has adequate security personnel.
According to reports submitted to the National Treasury, the recruitment process is scheduled to begin in the financial year starting July 1. Initially, the government had planned to conduct the recruitment exercise in March. Over the next three years, the government plans to hire a total of 30,000 new officers under the medium-term expenditure framework.
Other priority areas outlined by Leley include enhancing the staff house mortgage scheme, leasing vehicles to improve mobility, and increasing resources for police modernization. These initiatives aim to boost efficiency and welfare within the force, ensuring officers can effectively carry out their duties.
Deputy Inspector General of Police, Eliud Lagat, further detailed the proposed police budget of Ksh118.42 billion for 2025/26. Key objectives include expanding the police modernization program from 29 percent to 46 percent by acquiring advanced security equipment and recruiting 20,000 officers over the medium term. Additionally, the police service plans to issue 3.6 million clearance certificates to enhance public safety and efficiency, as well as equipping the forensic lab to bolster investigative capacity.
Director of Criminal Investigations (DCI), Mohamed Amin, raised concerns over the underfunding of his department, emphasizing the growing sophistication of crimes. “Crimes are becoming more sophisticated, and we need to keep up with technology. This requires budgetary allocations to help us equip our officers,” he noted.
The Committee also inquired about police housing projects, with the DIG revealing that the National Police Service currently manages 23,190 housing units but requires 101,230 units. He appealed for continued support from the Ministry of Housing to maintain these units and address aging infrastructure.
The Security Committee, chaired by Narok West MP Gabriel Tongoyo, will review NPSC’s funding requests and prepare a report for submission to the Liaison Committee for further deliberation.
