Parliament has raised concern over growing tensions between the National Police Service (NPS) and the National Police Service Commission (NPSC) regarding overlapping mandates, warning that the wrangles could fracture the integrity of the service.
The matter came up on Tuesday when the two entities appeared before the National Assembly Committee on Implementation of the Constitution, ahead of the planned recruitment of 10,000 police constables after a hiring freeze.
Committee chair Caroli Omondi, the Suna South MP, cautioned that the disputes risk undermining cohesion and accountability in the service. The committee resolved to consult further with key stakeholders before making recommendations to the House, with the goal of clarifying the roles of both the NPS and NPSC.
Dispute Over Recruitment Funds
At the centre of the disagreements is the allocation of funds for the upcoming recruitment exercise. The NPS has been assigned control of the resources, a move that the commission says sidelines its constitutional role in overseeing human resources.
Under Article 246 of the Constitution, the NPSC is mandated to handle recruitment, promotions, transfers, disciplinary control, and oversight of training. Article 245, meanwhile, empowers the Inspector General of Police to command operations and implement policy decisions, including deploying officers below the rank of Superintendent.
Payroll and Human Resource Control
The wrangles extend to payroll management, with the Inspector General insisting that surrendering payroll control would weaken his authority over operations. The NPSC argues that payroll oversight is its constitutional mandate as part of human resource management.
The stalemate has been a recurring issue for years, contributing to previous delays in recruitment. Earlier this month, the NPSC announced that it would recruit 10,000 constables under new regulations outlined in the National Police Service Commission Recruitment and Appointment Regulations Act, 2025.
Among the new measures is the requirement for online applications before candidates attend countrywide physical assessments, a point of contention between the NPS and the commission.
Inspector General Douglas Kanja expressed support for the planned recruitment, terming it timely.
“I welcome the commission’s decision to commence the recruitment of 10,000 new police constables. This initiative could not have come at a more critical time, when the service members are dwindling due to several issues,” he said.
Despite his backing, the IG emphasized the importance of clear delineation of roles to avoid conflict between the two entities.
The committee is expected to table its recommendations in Parliament after consultations, a move aimed at streamlining coordination between the NPS and the NPSC.
