The National Police Service (NPS) has clarified that it is not conducting any mandatory nationwide promotions targeting officers aged 50 years and above.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, the service dismissed as fake a widely circulated post claiming that all officers who had reached the age bracket would be promoted automatically.
The fake notice, which was falsely attributed to former NPS Spokesperson Resila Onyango, currently the Head of the Diplomatic Police Unit, alleged that the officers had been directed to submit their credentials for consideration.
The NPS dismissed the letter, urging the public to be vigilant against misinformation circulating online. The NPS also confirmed that all promotions within the service are guided by merit, performance, and existing regulations.
Changes in Promotions
On August 7, the government announced that NPS will henceforth lower the automatic promotion age for police officers by three years, via an announcement made by Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen.
Murkomen revealed that the NPS promotional board had agreed to reduce the promotion age for long-serving officers from 53 to 50.
The CS noted that if a police officers has served as a corporal, sergeant or constable for more than 15 years and he has reached age 50, he will be automatically promoted, while on the other hand, inspectors who have served in their roles for more than 10 years and have reached the age of 50, will also enjoy the same benefit.
"Inspector General of Police, Douglas Kanja, had previously announced that the promotional age of officers who have served for long as corporals is 53 and above; however, this has changed," Murkomen said.
The government also recently made changes that would see police officers be transferred from the duty stations within a shorter time.
Currently, police officers in the country are required to serve a minimum of one year and a maximum of three years at a single duty station before being considered for transfer, a strategy aimed at guaranteeing the well-being of officers and their families.
How Promotions Are Done
According to the law, the National Police Service Commission (NPSC) is responsible for promotions. Officers are promoted based on performance appraisals, although certain promotions require specific academic qualifications.
For instance, officers aspiring to higher ranks may be required to have completed relevant training courses or possess specific educational qualifications.
An officer’s disciplinary record is also a key factor in the promotion process.
