More police officers set for promotion

Senior Assistant Inspector General Peter Ndung’u explaining to the members of public about the new proposed police uniform at Magharibi Hall, Kakamega on September 12, 2023. [Benjamin Sakwa, Standard]

The National Police Service Commission (NPSC) is set to promote seven hundred and thirty-eight (738) officers across various ranks after years of stagnation in the same job group.

According to NPSC, the promotions will affect officers from the Kenya Police Service, Administration Police Service, and the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI).

The breakdown includes: 277 Senior Superintendents of Police (SSP), 261 Superintendents of Police, 135 Commissioners of police, 51 assistant Inspectors General of Police, and 14 senior assistant Inspectors General of Police

Additionally, fifty (50) civilian staff within the police service—including fingerprint officers, human resources officers, and office administrators—will also be promoted.

NPSC Chairperson Eliud Kinuthia said the decision was made during a commission meeting held on March 10, following recommendations from the Inspector General, in line with legal provisions.

He noted that the vetting process was conducted transparently, considering gender and regional balance.

In September 2024, 1,957 officers—1,870 men and 87 women—were promoted based on merit, with eligibility limited to those aged 53-59 and with clean disciplinary records.

Additionally, one hundred and eighty-three officers who had completed Higher Training and Senior Training courses were promoted to enhance performance in the security sector.

Kinuthia also announced salary adjustments following a presidential directive and the recommendations of the Maraga Taskforce Report. The basic salary for entry-level police constables has increased by Sh4,000, from Sh21,645 to Sh25,645.

In 2019, the Interior Ministry ordered an overhaul of promotion boards to ensure fairness and transparency. Then-Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i directed that promotions be based on merit rather than favoritism or corruption.

As a result, 515 chief inspectors were promoted when the current commission assumed office. Promotions continued in subsequent years, with 290 officers promoted in 2019, 63 in 2021 and 162 in 2022

Former Inspector General Hillary Mutyambai previously  acknowledged concerns about officers being stuck in the same rank for over a decade despite exemplary service.

“We will implement these changes fairly. There has been a feeling of unfairness among some officers and it is part of the reasons we are rolling out the changes,” he said at the time.