Internal Security Principal Secretary Raymond Omollo has appealed to Members of Parliament to support the recruitment of an additional 5,000 police officers before the end of the year.
Omollo said the government needed more officers to strengthen security operations and ensure Kenyans had access to adequate protection.
He said more than 10,000 police recruits had completed training and graduated in the past close to 10 months before being deployed to different parts of the country.
Speaking during the commissioning of Manyatta B Police Station in Kisumu East, Omollo said the recruits included two officers recently posted to the facility to reinforce the existing team.
“Although we have increased the number of police officers, we know that the numbers are still not adequate. That is why I want to appeal to our Members of Parliament that when we return seeking financial and budgetary support, they should support another recruitment exercise before the end of this year, targeting approximately 5,000 recruits,” he said.
Omollo said the additional recruitment would help the government improve police coverage and provide adequate security services as required by the Constitution.
He also called on MPs to support security sector reforms initiated by President William Ruto, including investment in officers' training, equipment and working conditions.
The PS said the government had gazetted additional administrative units to bring public services closer to residents and reduce the distance they travel to access government assistance.
He further announced that village elders, commonly known as wazee wa vijiji, had been recognised through a monthly stipend of Sh3,000.
The government was also working on arrangements to facilitate their medical cover through the Social Health Authority.
Omollo urged young people to maintain peace and allow politicians from different parties to campaign freely ahead of the 2027 General Election.
He warned against political leaders using young people to cause chaos, saying political violence could lead to loss of lives, destruction of property and disruption of businesses.
“Every politician must be given an opportunity to sell their agenda. Young people, do not allow yourselves to be used by others to cause chaos. Everybody must be free to canvass their political ideas, and ultimately it is the people who will decide who to elect,” he said.
