Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen has revealed that the National Police Service Commission (NPSC) is set to pilot an automated police recruitment system in the country.
Murkomen hosted the commission’s leadership, led by Chairperson Eliud Kinuthia, where he revealed the move was part of the government's modernisation agenda within its security agencies.
"The commission is also piloting the automation of police recruitment to enhance accountability, transparency, and efficiency," the CS said.
The CS further stated that discussions were underway to identify areas of improvement within the system and to seal all potential loopholes that could facilitate corruption.
Automation of police recruitment is one of the major milestones the commission seeks to achieve as its second term nears its end.
Notably, automation of recruitment is on the verge of being rolled out at the recommendation of former Chief Justice David Maraga, whose report brought forth the rot in the recruitment of police officers in 2023.
At the time, Maraga, who headed the National Taskforce on Police Reforms, released a worrying report detailing how top police officers sell key jobs, including recruitment slots, for as high as Ksh600,000.
Maraga's report detailed how his task force received complaints from the public about senior officers soliciting bribes or demanding sexual favours to guarantee positions within the Service.
Once recruitment is automated, individuals wishing to join the force would be compelled to apply online, thus housing all candidates under one portal.
Besides automation of the recruitment process, Murkomen also noted the commission had made strides in other pressing issues, including the review of salaries of police officers and promotions.
Meanwhile, the process of acquiring NPSC's new members has already started and is expected to take upward of two months since a new chairman is also being sought.
In February 2025, a selection panel was sworn in, paving the way for the recruitment and appointment of persons to hold or act in the office of the police service. The panel is also tasked with confirming appointments and determining promotions and transfers within the National Police Service.
