Kenyans seeking to join the National Police Service (NPS) will have to file an online application for the advertised positions if the recommendations by the National Taskforce led by former Chief Justice David Maraga are implemented.
In its report submitted to President William Ruto on Thursday, the former CJ recommended the automation of the police recruitment process to enhance professionalism and align it with international standards.
He added that the taskforce had received complaints from the public about senior officers soliciting bribes or demanding sexual favours to guarantee positions within the Service.
Maraga emphasised that the changes would ensure transparency and equity in the process.
"To stem malpractices in recruitment into the Services and promote competence, accountability and integrity, the Taskforce recommends automation of the recruitment processes, starting with online applications for the advertised positions followed by personal interviews at the recruitment centres," read part of the report.
In the report, Maraga also recommended raising the minimum KCSE entry grade for police recruitment from the current D+ (plus) to C - (minus).
The minimum entry grade for officers situated in the marginalised areas will, however, be retained at D+ (plus).
Following the recruitment, the training will be extended from nine months to twelve, with emphasis placed on competency-based coaching in line with international police standards.
Further, the Taskforce recommended that no officer should serve in one county for more than three years, except for those deployed to the specialised units.
Officers in the police, prisons and National Youth Service (NYS) will also get a 40 per cent pay rise in the next three years if the recommendations are adopted.
"The Taskforce has recommended that the basic salary of the members of the three Services be raised by 40 per cent at the lowest constable level with a decompression ratio, based on the current salary, achieving a 3 per cent increment in basic salary at the highest rank. The new remuneration structure should be implemented in three (3) phases from July 1, 2024."
While giving his speech after receiving the report, President Ruto noted that deliberations were ongoing between the National Treasury and the Salaries and Remunerations Commission (SRC) to discuss how to fund the proposed changes.
