Bill proposes age limit for Inspector General of police

Future Inspector General and Deputy Inspector Generals (DIGs) may not serve beyond the age of 60, should a new amendment seeking to introduce age limit sail through.

Teso North MP Oku Kaunya, who is sponsoring the National Police Service (Amendment) Bill 2025 presented his legislative proposals to the National Assembly Committee on Administration and Internal Security, said there is a lacuna in the current law on the age limit for the two senior most positions in the service.

He made his presentation on Wednesday even as the committee chaired by Vice Chairperson Dado Rasso, urged him to also consider incorporating the promotion issue, to address instances where some junior officers overtake more experienced ones in ranking.

Rasso said there is need to tighten the process of promotions for NPS.

But even as the committee seeks stakeholder participation on the issue, Rasso urged Kaunya to also sit with the Kenya Defense Forces (KDF) representatives to better understand its well-defined structure, which cannot be interfered with.

"One of the challenges we may be having at NPS is the idea of officers overtaking each other where a junior person suddenly becomes the boss of a much older, experienced and well trained officer, this must be captured in the Bill," Rasso said.

The principal object of the Bill is to amend NPS Act Cap 84 to provide for an age limit of 60 years for persons nominated and appointed to the offices of IG and DIG," the Bill provides.

It also seeks to include a term limit for DIG, given that they are exempted from mandatory retirement age of 60.

The Bill includes a term limit for Deputy Inspectors General, noting that they are exempted from the mandatory retirement age of 60 years.

It seeks to ensure that persons appointed to the offices have the ability to handle demanding situations within the police service and help balance between the need to retain experienced leadership and allow for succession planning within the service.

Clause 2 of the Bill provides for the deletion of the current section 11 which lists the qualifications for the appointment as Inspector General and Deputy-Inspector General of the National Police Service Act.

Instead, the Bill proposes the insertion of a new section 11 which lists the qualifications and disqualification for appointment as Inspector-General, only.

On the disqualifications, the Bill proposes to introduce a disqualification clause stating that the person has at the time of appointment attained the age of 60. Clause 4 of the Bill provides for the insertion of new sections 11A and 11B.

The proposed new section 11A provides for the appointment of the Deputy Inspector General. The appointment of the Deputy Inspector General is currently provided for in section 13 and the Bill retains the current section 13 but introduces one term limit.

According to Kaunya, the gaps in law were identified during the vetting of the current IG, Douglas Kanja who was appointed despite his age.

With the proposals, he said the Bill can also look into the ranking and progression of NPS.

Kaunya explained that the Public Service Commission (PSC) regulations put retirement at 60 years with exceptions for persons with disabilities, which is 65, even as he stated that the lacuna is dangerous and should be well defined like in the military.

“This law will help us eliminate lacuna and make sure we have capable officers at the top at all times. My request is that the committee considers passing this bill so that we can be able to improve our NPS management and command at the top level,” said Kaunya.

He said the current Act provides that they serve for four years, which is also provided in the Constitution but the bill has not sought any changes on this aspect.

It also seeks to promote the appointment of individuals who can meet the physical and mental demands of the roles.

“Security work is demanding and requires someone who is fit. While experience is valuable, we must not leave this gap unaddressed. This proposal helps close that loophole and ensures a capable and agile police leadership,” Kaunya explained.