The Inspector General revealed that the National Treasury has allocated Ksh2.9 billion for the recruitment exercise, an amount far below the Ksh6.7 billion required to recruit an initial batch of 15,000 officers ahead of the 2027 General Election.
The recruitment drive had been positioned as part of broader efforts to strengthen national security and address staffing gaps within the National Police Service.
However, the current budget allocation now places the plan under serious financial strain.
According to the Inspector General, the shortfall could affect the timelines and scale of the recruitment process, potentially slowing down efforts to reinforce policing capacity across the country.
Security sector reforms and recruitment have in recent years remained a key focus for government, particularly amid concerns over rising security demands, expansion of administrative units, and the need to improve response capabilities.
The planned recruitment of thousands of new officers was expected to ease pressure on existing personnel, many of whom have been working under challenging conditions due to staffing shortages and increasing operational demands.
However, the funding gap now raises questions over the government’s ability to fully implement the programme as originally envisioned.
The National Treasury’s allocation of Ksh2.9 billion is significantly below the estimated requirement, creating uncertainty over how the recruitment exercise will proceed.
Officials within the security sector have previously emphasized that adequate funding is critical to ensure proper training, deployment, and welfare of new officers.
The recruitment initiative is also viewed as strategically important ahead of the 2027 General Election, a period often associated with heightened security demands, public gatherings, and increased administrative responsibilities for law enforcement agencies.
While the government has not yet publicly responded in detail to the Inspector General’s concerns, the matter is expected to trigger discussions between security leadership and Treasury officials on possible budget adjustments or phased recruitment approaches.
The National Police Service has in the past undertaken large-scale recruitment exercises aimed at strengthening operational capacity, improving service delivery, and addressing retirements and attrition within the force.