NPS urges youth to turn up for nationwide recruitment drive

By Newsflash Writer

The National Police Service (NPS) has called on qualified Kenyan youth to participate in the upcoming nationwide police recruitment exercise scheduled for Monday, November 17, 2025.

The Service reaffirmed that the exercise, announced in all leading newspapers on October 31, aims to recruit 10,000 new police constables who will join efforts to strengthen policing and advance ongoing reforms.

According to a statement issued by the Office of the Inspector General through the Director of Corporate Communication and NPS Spokesperson, Mr Muciri Nyaga, the recruitment will take place across 427 centres, running from 8 am to 5 pm in a one-day exercise.

The NPS encouraged all eligible youth to take part freely and without fear, describing the opportunity as more than just employment. The successful recruits, the statement noted, would be part of a fresh cohort expected to support the Service’s reform agenda and contribute to building a safer and more professional policing system.

Past corruption in recruitment exercises

The Service acknowledged that previous recruitment drives had been marred by corruption allegations, including bribery, favoritism, and exploitation of desperate job seekers. These incidents had undermined public trust in the process and cast doubt on the fairness of past selections.

In recognition of this history, the NPS emphasized that it remains fully aware of the challenges that had accompanied earlier exercises.

Corrupt dealings—whether through middlemen, rogue officers, or aspirants seeking unfair advantage—had long tainted the image of a process that should be competitive and transparent.

The statement reassured Kenyans that lessons had been learned, and that the Service was now more determined than ever to restore credibility and integrity in the recruitment process. A renewed commitment to professionalism, accountability, and openness, the NPS noted, is part of its broader reform vision.

Firm warning against bribery and corruption

The government has pledged tough action against anyone attempting to manipulate or compromise the forthcoming recruitment. In the statement, the NPS made it clear that bribery and corruption will not be tolerated under any circumstances.

The Service warned that any individual—whether an aspirant, a facilitator, or an insider—who attempts to give or receive a bribe will face the full force of the law. This includes both those who solicit money and those who offer it in hopes of securing recruitment slots.

By drawing a hard line, the NPS aims to ensure that only deserving candidates join the Service and that merit forms the basis of selection. The statement further urged Kenyan youth not to allow unscrupulous actors to take advantage of their aspirations, emphasizing that the process is free and should remain so.

As the country approaches the recruitment date, the NPS called on citizens to support its efforts to maintain a trusted, people-centred, and professional policing culture. It reaffirmed its commitment to transparency as it seeks to build a stronger and more accountable National Police Service for all Kenyans.