The National Police Service (NPS) has announced a last-minute change of venue for the police recruitment exercise in Kamukunji Sub-County, Nairobi, citing safety concerns due to ongoing construction works.

The shift comes as the NPS prepares for the nationwide recruitment of 10,000 police constables scheduled for Monday, November 17, 2025, following the lifting of a court-imposed ban.

Change of venue ahead of Monday exercise

In an official statement dated November 16, 2025, the NPS informed candidates of the venue adjustment.

“The National Police Service (NPS) wishes to notify candidates taking part in tomorrow’s National Police Recruitment of a change of venue, as follows,” the statement dated November 16, 2025, read in part.

The original venue, Kamukunji Sports Grounds, has been replaced by Morrison Primary School.

“County: Nairobi, Sub-County: Kamukunji (Centre No. 408) Originally Announced Venue: Kamukunji Sports Grounds, New Venue: Morrison Primary School,” the notice specified.

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The NPS further explained, “The original venue, located some two kilometres away, has been deemed unfit to conduct the recruitment due to ongoing construction works.”

Legal hurdles cleared

The venue change follows the High Court’s decision to lift conservatory orders on November 14, 2025, that had previously halted the exercise.

The interim orders were issued on November 10, 2025, after activist Eliud Matindi filed a petition arguing that Inspector General of Police (IG) Douglas Kanja lacked constitutional authority to oversee recruitment, a mandate he claimed belonged to the National Police Service Commission (NPSC).

However, IG Kanja, through State Counsel Christopher Marwa, successfully argued for the orders to be lifted, citing a critical shortage of officers due to a three-year recruitment freeze and natural attrition.

“Due to the shortage of the police officers as a result of lack of recruitment of police officers for the past three years and natural attrition, there has been a rise of security challenges in the country,” Kanja stated in his notice of motion.

Recruitment, upcoming polls

Speaking at Kiamariga Police Station in Nyeri County on November 14, 2025, during an inspection following a fire outbreak, IG Kanja emphasised the recruitment’s importance.

“To me, it is not just a new team of police officers but officers who have to come in and assist us and support us in the reform agenda because the police service is under transformation,” he said.

“I want to encourage the young men and women to troop into their recruitment centres starting from Monday. We will get the best from the republic, and I’m happy because we are not only recruiting young men; they are not only going to get a job, but we are getting a reformist team that is going to push the police service to the next level.”

Kanja also highlighted the need for additional officers ahead of the 2027 general election. “There is also a need to increase the number of police officers, noting the impending general election that is scheduled for August 2027, and elections in the country come with heavy security challenges, which require adequate police officers to manage.”