Questions as panel readvertises position for police commission chair, member

Questions have been raised over the move by a select panel to readvertise for the position of the chair and member of the National Police Service Commission (NPSC).

This came amid reports some mandarins were not happy with the names earlier forwarded as the suitable candidates for the positions.

The Selection Panel for nominees of the National Police Service Commission (NPSC) had in April 2025 concluded the interviews for the positions and arrived at the suitable candidates.

What was remaining was the team to transmit the names to the president who would later send them to Parliament for vetting and approval before they are sworn in.

But after staying silent for more than a month, the team put up an advert in the dailies saying they are looking for a chair and member of NPSC.

Insiders said some names were rejected by some quarters prompting the move to readvertise. The new chairman will replace Eliud Kinuthia who exited the office after six years stint.

The other members who left in March were Dr Alice Otwala (vice-chairperson), John ole Moyaki, Eusebius Laibuta and Lilian Kiamba.

In the new advertisement, panel chairman Arthur Osiya said he was looking for suitable candidates for the chairman of the commission and a member of the commission.

“Pursuant to the provisions of Article 246(2)(a) of the Constitution and Section 5 of the National Police Service Commission Act 2011, the Selection Panel invites applications from suitably qualified persons for the positions of the Chairperson and Member of the National Police Service Commission,” said part of the advert.

Those interested have until June 12, 2025 to send their applications to the panel. This means Kenyans have to wait longer to have the new commission. This is likely to affect the operations at the commission.

During the earlier interviews, a candidate seeking to be the chairman collapsed and died as he waited to be interviewed by a panel in Nairobi.

Komora Mubadi Jilo was among four who were to be interviewed by the team when he collapsed at the Public Service Commission offices along Harambee Avenue.

It is not clear what caused the death, officials said. The incident briefly disrupted the interviews that were ongoing on Tuesday March 25, 2025.

The panel had unveiled the final list of candidates to be interviewed for the position of the chairperson and members.

The panel shortlisted nine candidates for the chairperson and 29 others for the membership post. Those who were shortlisted for the chairperson position included former Busia Deputy Governor Kizito Wangalwa, ex-IEBC commissioner Margaret Mwachanya, former IPOA member Doreen Nkatha, former PS Micah Powon and ex-MP Humphrey Kimani.

Others are John Mutegi, Komora, Susan Oyatsi and John Otieno.

The outgoing commission was appointed in March 2019 for a six-year non-renewable term. Among the documents required are clearances from the Kenya Revenue Authority, Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission, Higher Education Loans Board, any of the Registered Credit Reference Bureaus and the Directorate of Criminal Investigations.

The main functions of the commission include recruiting and appointing persons to hold or act in the office of the police service, confirming appointments, and determining promotions and transfers within the National Police Service.

They also observe due process, exercise disciplinary control over, and remove persons holding or acting in offices within the service.