The National Police Service Commission (NPSC) plans to recruit an additional 10,000 police officers starting this month.
NPSC Chairman Johnston Kavuludi said the government will recruit more police officers in an effort to enhance national security and to also address the current shortfall occasioned by officers leaving the service through natural attrition.
The exercise which will start on May 11 is set to be one of the largest single recruitment drives in the country so far, he said.
Mr Kavuludi who was speaking in Machakos County said the exercise is being done to ensure the government fulfills the United Nations requirements in terms of number of police officers to the population.
“We are recruiting an additional 10,000 officers in May which is in line with government’s effort to attain the United Nations recommendation ratio of one Police officer to serve 400 members of public. Currently the ratio of Police officers in Kenya is one officer for every 380 which is quite commendable,” he said.
The chairman urged the youth to turn up in large numbers for the recruitment exercise saying the process will be fair and transparent.
The recruitment would supplement the police population ahead of the General Elections this year during which security agencies anticipate an upsurge in criminal activity.
Also in attendance was Assistant Inspector General of Police Mrs. Miriam Muli, Ronald Musengi (a member of vetting Board), Machakos County Commissioner, Matilda Sakwa, together with top county security officers.