[Kenya] Court petitioned to pause police recruitment amid payroll dispute

In Nairobi, Kenya, a public interest group has petitioned the court to suspend the planned recruitment of 10,000 police officers until a case challenging the management of the National Police Service (NPS) payroll is heard and determined, Capital News reports.

The petitioners’ lawyer, Shadrack Wambui, filed an urgent application on September 9 seeking conservatory orders, arguing that the recruitment exercise is directly tied to the payroll system, whose constitutional management remains in dispute.

The original petition, filed on August 11, 2025, reportedly raises the question of whether the custody and administration of the police payroll falls under the operational mandate of the Inspector General of Police or the human resource management role of the National Police Service Commission (NPSC).

On August 13, the court directed that the petition be served within three days and responses be filed within seven days. But the petitioners claim that, despite serving the respondents and interested parties, no replies have been filed, leaving the case uncontested.

They stated that allowing recruitment to proceed before the constitutional issue is resolved would lead to payroll entries for 10,000 new officers being made under disputed authority, potentially rendering the petition meaningless if the court rules in their favour.

The petitioners reportedly said that payroll administration is the “primary instrument” for implementing human resource decisions such as recruitment, promotions, transfers, suspensions, and disciplinary action. They contend that any ambiguity over its control could destabilise the police service and erode public confidence.

The petitioners say that the conservatory orders sought are necessary to safeguard institutional stability and preserve the integrity of the recruitment process.

The NPSC has moved forward with preparations for the recruitment drive, even as the case proceeds.

Source: Capital News

In Nairobi, Kenya, a public interest group has petitioned the court to suspend the planned recruitment of 10,000 police officers until a case challenging the management of the National Police Service (NPS) payroll is heard and determined, Capital News reports.

The petitioners’ lawyer, Shadrack Wambui, filed an urgent application on September 9 seeking conservatory orders, arguing that the recruitment exercise is directly tied to the payroll system, whose constitutional management remains in dispute.

The original petition, filed on August 11, 2025, reportedly raises the question of whether the custody and administration of the police payroll falls under the operational mandate of the Inspector General of Police or the human resource management role of the National Police Service Commission (NPSC).

On August 13, the court directed that the petition be served within three days and responses be filed within seven days. But the petitioners claim that, despite serving the respondents and interested parties, no replies have been filed, leaving the case uncontested.

They stated that allowing recruitment to proceed before the constitutional issue is resolved would lead to payroll entries for 10,000 new officers being made under disputed authority, potentially rendering the petition meaningless if the court rules in their favour.

The petitioners reportedly said that payroll administration is the “primary instrument” for implementing human resource decisions such as recruitment, promotions, transfers, suspensions, and disciplinary action. They contend that any ambiguity over its control could destabilise the police service and erode public confidence.

The petitioners say that the conservatory orders sought are necessary to safeguard institutional stability and preserve the integrity of the recruitment process.

The NPSC has moved forward with preparations for the recruitment drive, even as the case proceeds.

Source: Capital News