By the 254.ke Newsroom
Inspector-General Douglas Kanja has approved the promotion of 1,948 police officers whose advancement had stalled, the National Police Service (NPS) announced on Monday, October 19, 2026. The move follows a Court of Appeal judgment that upheld Kanja’s independent command over uniformed officers and sidelined the National Police Service Commission (NPSC) from their promotions and recruitment.
The service did not break the figure down by rank. It said the officers had completed the required promotional courses and met all prescribed conditions.
What did the Court of Appeal decide?
A three-judge bench of Justices Patrick Kiage, Jamila Mohammed and Jessie Lesiit dismissed consolidated appeals by the NPSC and the Law Society of Kenya on Friday, October 16, 2026. The NPS cited Civil Appeal Nos. E971 and E957 of 2025.
In doing so, the judges left standing a decision by Justice Hellen Wasilwa of the Employment and Labour Relations Court, delivered on October 30, 2025. That ruling found the commission lacked constitutional authority over the recruitment and management of uniformed officers and declared its 2025 recruitment regulations unconstitutional.
The Court of Appeal said the Constitution gives the Inspector-General independent command over decisions on the employment, assignment, promotion, suspension or dismissal of uniformed officers. Civilian staff, it noted, remain under the commission. “Ultimately, we find the consolidated appeal before us to be without merit and they are accordingly dismissed in entirety,” the judges ruled, according to Capital FM.
Key facts at a glance
- Officers promoted: 1,948 (ranks not specified)
- Announced: Monday, October 19, 2026
- Approved by: Inspector-General Douglas Kanja
- Court ruling: Court of Appeal, Friday, October 16, 2026
- Lower court decision upheld: Justice Hellen Wasilwa, October 30, 2025
- Original petitioner: former MP John Harun Mwau
Why were the promotions stuck?
The dispute began on September 19, 2025, when the commission advertised constable vacancies under Legal Notice No. 159 of 2025. Mwau challenged the exercise, and Justice Wasilwa suspended it on October 2, 2025, a day before it was due to start.
On February 27, 2026, a Court of Appeal bench temporarily blocked the part of her ruling that handed the Inspector-General sole authority over promotions and dismissals, according to The Rio Times. A June 2026 report by Nairobi Law Monthly, citing unnamed sources, said the commission had been unable to hold a full meeting since February, leaving officers who had finished promotion courses waiting. That single-outlet claim was not independently confirmed.
What did Kanja say?
Kanja said “the constitutional order has been vindicated,” per Capital FM, and promised that officers whose promotions had stalled, particularly those who completed their courses, would be promoted “without further delay.” The Star reported that he urged the newly promoted officers to uphold professionalism, integrity and diligence. The NPS said the promotions were expected to improve operational efficiency and service delivery.
What happens to the National Police Service Commission?
The commission keeps its mandate over civilian employees in the police service, such as administrative, technical, accounting, ICT, legal and medical staff, as reported by Capital FM and Citizen Digital. Reports differ on how far the judgment reaches on discipline of uniformed officers, and the full judgment had not been widely published at the time of writing.
Two matters remain open. Neither the NPSC nor the Law Society had announced a further appeal by October 21, 2026, although the Supreme Court route exists under Article 163(4)(a) of the Constitution. A separate dispute over control of police payroll was not decided in this judgment.
FAQ
How many police officers were promoted?
The National Police Service says 1,948 officers were approved for promotion by Inspector-General Douglas Kanja. Ranks were not specified.
Who now controls police promotions in Kenya?
Following the October 16 Court of Appeal judgment, the Inspector-General holds independent command over promotion of uniformed officers. The commission handles civilian staff.
Can the ruling be appealed?
Possibly at the Supreme Court. No filing had been reported as of October 21, 2026.
Which case was it?
Civil Appeal Nos. E971 and E957 of 2025, arising from a petition by John Harun Mwau.
For related coverage, see our reports on the Embu rally violence and Mashujaa Day 2026. Past judgments are searchable on Kenya Law.
Sources: The Star (Oct 19), Capital FM (Oct 19), People Daily (Oct 19), The Rio Times (Oct 16).
