The government is seeking parliamentary approval to recruit an additional 5,000 police officers before the end of the year to address staffing shortages in the National Police Service.
Principal Secretary for Internal Security Raymond Omollo said the proposed recruitment would boost police numbers, strengthen security operations and improve service delivery across the country.
Speaking on Friday during the commissioning of Manyatta Police Station in Kisumu East, Dr Omollo said more than 10,000 police recruits had completed training and graduated in the past 10 months before being deployed to various parts of the country.
He said two of the newly trained officers had already been posted to Manyatta Police Station to reinforce the existing team.
“Although we have increased the number of police officers, we know that the numbers are still not adequate,” he said.
Dr Omollo urged MPs to support the proposed recruitment by approving the necessary budgetary allocation when the government presents its funding requirements to Parliament.
He also called on legislators to back security sector reforms initiated by President William Ruto, particularly investment in police training, equipment and officers’ working conditions.
On public administration, the PS said the government had gazetted additional administrative units as part of efforts to bring essential services closer to communities and reduce the distance residents travel to access government services.
He also announced that village elders, commonly known as wazee wa vijiji (Village Elders), would receive a monthly stipend of Sh3,000.
Dr Omollo said the government was also working on arrangements to provide the elders with medical cover through the Social Health Authority (SHA).
Turning to the political situation ahead of the 2027 General Election, he urged young people to maintain peace and avoid being used by politicians to promote divisive interests.
He called on political leaders from across the political divide to be allowed to campaign freely, warning that violence could lead to loss of lives, destruction of property and disruption of businesses.
“Every politician must be given an opportunity to sell their agenda. Young people, do not allow yourselves to be used by others to cause chaos,” he said.
He added that voters should be allowed to make their choices through the ballot.
Dr Omollo also commended leaders in Kisumu East for working with the national government through the National Government Constituencies Development Fund (NG-CDF), saying the partnership had supported projects in the security and education sectors.
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