Big Shake-Up Coming: CS Murkomen Announces Nationwide Transfer of Police Officers After New Directives

A major reshuffle is looming within the National Police Service after Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen announced that all officers who have served in one station for more than three years will soon be transferred.

Speaking during a Thanksgiving ceremony in Tana River County on Saturday, the CS said the move aims to boost morale and efficiency among officers while addressing challenges caused by overstaying in one station.

 “We have realised that one thing that demoralises police officers is the tendency to work in one station for a long period. The police and Kenyans demanded time-to-time transfers to boost the morale of police officers,” Murkomen stated.

According to Murkomen, Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja is finalising preparations for the transfers, which will take place immediately after the upcoming police recruitment exercise is completed.

“The IG is already working on the transfers and is awaiting the completion of the recruitment process to make the changes,” the CS added.

Murkomen further revealed that President William Ruto’s administration is in the final phase of implementing a salary increase for police officers.

He clarified that the pay rise was being rolled out in three phases, with two already completed and the final one expected to be implemented before the end of next year.

“We also know that the president has increased police salaries in phases. The first and second phases are complete, and the third phase will be done before the end of next year,” Murkomen explained.

In addition, the CS disclosed that the government is constructing 17,000 new housing units to address accommodation challenges facing officers nationwide.

He also confirmed that the Ministry is procurring more police vehicles to enhance mobility — especially in hard-to-reach and high-risk areas such as Tana River and Lamu Counties.

“We want to ensure our officers have decent housing and reliable transport to serve Kenyans better,” Murkomen said.

The mass transfer and welfare reforms are expected to significantly reshape the police service as the government moves to improve discipline, performance, and accountability.