The National Police Service (NPS) has revealed that it requires Sh6.76 billion to support the recruitment of additional police officers annually, highlighting a significant funding shortfall that could impact efforts to improve police-to-population ratios in the country.
While appearing before the National Assembly’s Committee on Administration and Internal Security, NPS Inspector General Douglas Kanja told the lawmakers, “Recruitment of Police Officers was undertaken on November 17, 2025.”
Kanja said that the service is targeting to recruit 10,000 police officers every year in order to bridge the current police to population ratio of 1:531 against the United Nations Standard of 1:450, faulting the budgetary limitations, saying it remains a major challenge.
“The total funding required is Sh. 6.76 billion against an allocation of Sh. 2.9 billion, reflecting a funding shortfall of Sh. 3.86 billion.” Kanja told MPs.
Kanja said that the police service is also grappling with a shortage of operational vehicles, revealing that thousands of units are currently grounded.
“NPS has a total of motor vehicle requirements of 8,400, out of which 2,833 are operational, while 1,066 are grounded. There is an overall deficit of 4,481 motor vehicles,” he added.
The Police chief revealed that to ease mobility challenges, the National Treasury has initiated replacement of vehicles under Phase Four and Phase Six programmes, with plans underway for the procurement of electric vehicles.
“600 additional electric Motor vehicles are set for procurement by the National Treasury, out of which 300 will be allocated to NPS,” Kanja affirmed.
Before the lawmakers, it was noted that the Service continues to face a housing crisis that has affected officer welfare across the country.
“The NPS has a total of 23,190 housing units against a requirement of 101,230, thus a shortfall of 78,040 units,” Kanja reported.
To address this gap, the Service is implementing a police housing construction programme across the country which includes, “542 units at Kilimani Police Station, 115 units at Embakasi A Campus, 130 units for CSU at State House Nairobi, 100 units at Kajiado Police Station, 60 units at Sondu Police Station, 60 units at Anti-Stock Theft Unit Gilgil and 30 units at Garissa Police Station”, he said.
“The NPS has further requested the State Department for Housing and Urban Development to prioritise construction of at least 20,000 housing units across all counties.”
The Service informed the Committee that reforms are ongoing in line with recommendations made by the Maraga Taskforce.
“The Strategic Framework for Implementation of Reforms in the NPS, KPS and NYS (2024-2028) was launched by the President on September 18, 2024, to guide the implementation of reforms proposed by the Maraga Taskforce Report,” the police chief said.
A multi-agency taskforce has also been established to steer the implementation of the reforms.
Meanwhile, the government has commenced the process of replacing police uniforms following a presidential directive.
“The President issued a Presidential Directive on the replacement of the Kenya Police Service Uniform. Procurement of the new uniform is currently ongoing and at the tail end of being concluded, and the first batch of uniforms is expected to be delivered in May 2026,” Kanja said.
