A fresh storm is brewing in Parliament after lawmakers tabled a bill that could drastically change how top police bosses are appointed in Kenya.
The proposed law, the National Police Service (Amendment) Bill, 2025, aims to introduce strict age and term limits for the Inspector General (IG) of Police and Deputy Inspector Generals (DIGs).
If passed, no one above 60 years will qualify for nomination to either office. Additionally, DIGs—who currently have no fixed tenure—would be limited to a single five-year term, bringing them in line with the IG’s non-renewable four-year mandate already enshrined in the Constitution.
Supporters of the bill argue that the changes will inject fresh energy into police leadership, ensuring appointees are both physically capable and strategically prepared for the demands of the job.
They also believe the move will pave the way for succession planning, balancing experience with new leadership within the service.
To achieve this, several sections of the National Police Service Act, Cap. 84 will be amended, with new clauses detailing qualifications and disqualifications for the powerful roles.
Currently, the law only limits the IG’s tenure, leaving DIGs exempt from mandatory retirement at 60 and without clear term caps. This legal loophole, according to the bill’s drafters, has created an imbalance in police leadership.
The proposal comes against the backdrop of past controversies around age and eligibility of police chiefs. Notably, Douglas Kanja, the current Inspector General, was 61 when he took office in September 2024, sparking debates on whether his appointment breached retirement conventions. He replaced Japhet Koome, who left office in July 2024 after public pressure during the Gen Z protests.
At present, Administration Police DIG Gilbert Masengeli is 55, while Kenya Police DIG Eliud Lagat is said to be 53, though his exact age is not officially confirmed.
Interestingly, the bill notes that its passage would not burden taxpayers with additional costs, as it primarily seeks to realign leadership structures without expanding budgets.
As Parliament prepares to debate the proposal, questions loom: will the new rules tighten accountability at the top—or open another political showdown over who qualifies to lead Kenya’s police service?
