Eyebrows as panel readvertises NPSC chair, member post

The panel tasked with recruiting members of the National Police Service Commission (NPSC) has further delayed the process after readvertising the positions of chairperson and member.

It is unclear what prompted the move, as the panel had already concluded interviews and was set to submit the list of nominees.

The process went silent until May 22, when the team published a fresh advert in the dailies, inviting new applications for the two positions.

In April 2025, the Selection Panel had completed interviews and identified suitable candidates.

The only step remaining was the transmission of the names to the President, who would then forward them to Parliament for vetting and approval before swearing-in.

The new chair will replace Eliud Kinuthia, who exited after serving a six-year term. Other members who left in March include Dr Alice Otwala (vice-chairperson), John ole Moyaki, Eusebius Laibuta, and Lilian Kiamba.

In the new advertisement, panel chair Arthur Osiya called for applications from qualified candidates for the chairperson and member positions.

“Pursuant to the provisions of Article 246(2)(a) of the Constitution and Section 5 of the National Police Service Commission Act 2011, the Selection Panel invites applications from suitably qualified persons for the positions of the Chairperson and Member of the National Police Service Commission,” the advert stated.

Interested candidates have until June 12, 2025, to submit their applications.

This development means the commission will remain incomplete for longer, potentially affecting its operations. Among pending tasks is the recruitment of new police constables, which requires a chairperson to proceed.

During the previous interviews, a tragedy struck when candidate Komora Mubadi Jilo collapsed and died at the Public Service Commission offices on March 25, 2025, moments before his interview.

The incident briefly disrupted the exercise.

The panel had shortlisted nine candidates for the chairperson position and 29 for the member slots.

Chairperson hopefuls included former Busia Deputy Governor Kizito Wangalwa, ex-IEBC commissioner Margaret Mwachanya, former IPOA member Doreen Nkatha, former PS Micah Powon, and ex-MP Humphrey Kimani.

Others were John Mutegi, Komora Mubadi Jilo, Susan Oyatsi, and John Otieno.

The outgoing commission, appointed in March 2019, served a non-renewable six-year term.

The NPSC is mandated to recruit and appoint officers in the police service, confirm appointments, and oversee promotions and transfers.

It also exercises disciplinary control and can remove officers from the service while ensuring due process is followed.