Parliament has lifted the lid on a raging turf war between the National Police Service (NPS) and the National Police Service Commission (NPSC), warning that the bitter standoff threatens to tear apart the country’s law enforcement system.
The Committee on Implementation of the Constitution, led by Hon. Caroli Omondi, revealed that the feud stems from competing interpretations of Articles 245 and 246 of the Constitution — with both the Inspector General (IG) and the Commission claiming supremacy.
At the heart of the fight is control of police officers, money, and power. Article 245 hands the IG sweeping authority over operations, deployments, and nationwide coordination, while Article 246 arms the NPSC with control over recruitment, promotions, transfers, training, and discipline.
But the real flashpoint is money. MPs disclosed that the latest police recruitment funds were funneled directly to the NPS, sidelining the Commission and sparking outrage. The payroll has also become a battleground, with the NPSC insisting it must control salaries, while the IG refuses to cede ground, saying it would cripple his command.
Lawmakers warned that the tug-of-war risks splitting the service down the middle, undermining discipline and morale in the ranks.
After grilling both parties today, the Committee vowed to drag in more stakeholders before delivering a hard-hitting report to Parliament — one that could finally settle who truly holds the reins of Kenya’s police service.
