Kenya’s Police Service Opposes Age Limits For Police IG, Deputies
The National Police Service (NPS) has opposed a bill that would establish a retirement age and term restriction for the Inspector General of Police and his deputies.
Amos Obuga, the Director of Legal Affairs who represented the agency, stated that an IG’s retirement should be determined by competence, experience, and institutional knowledge rather than age.
Obuga addressed the National Assembly Committee on Administration and Internal Security on Tuesday.
Obuga was commenting on the National Police Service (Amendment) Bill 2025, which is sponsored by Teso North MP Oku Kaunya and proposes capping the retirement age of the Inspector General and his deputies at 60.
Police Chief Douglas Kanja battles Parliament over proposed age limit for top command
— Mambo Mseto X (@MamboMseto254) November 12, 2025
Kenya’s ongoing debate on whether to set a retirement age for the Inspector General of Police and the two Deputy Inspectors General has attracted strong opinions from both the police leadership… pic.twitter.com/901CebpiUv
If passed, the measure will require Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja to retire, as he is 61 years old.
Additionally, the law proposes a five-year term limit for the Deputy Inspector General.
DIGs currently have no term limit; however, IGs are limited to a single non-renewable term of four years.
Article 245 of the Constitution states that the IG is appointed for a single four-year term and is not eligible for reappointment.
Furthermore, the law proposes new procedures for the recruitment and removal of the IG and Deputy IG.
“While age correlates with experience, it should not be used as a disqualifying factor for leadership,” Kanja said.
“Competence, integrity, professionalism and strategic thinking should remain the principal criteria for appointment to the positions of IG and the two deputies.”
If the law passes, according to Obuga, it may prevent qualified and experienced officials from running the NPS.
According to the Teso North Lawmaker, the proposed modification aims to ensure that persons appointed to the positions are capable of handling the demanding nature of leadership within the police force.
According to Kaunya, the bill will help the military retain skilled officers and foster succession planning.
The IPOA chairperson, Ahmed Issack Hassan, endorsed the bill, particularly the inclusion of a clear process for appointing and removing the IG and DIG.
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This is consistent with the recommendations of the National Task Force on Improving Terms and Conditions of Service and Other Reforms for Members of the National Police Service and Kenya Prisons Service, better known as the Maraga Taskforce.
According to Hassan, the appointments of the two should be in line with the two-thirds gender rule provided under Article 27 of the Constitution.
“In Tanzania, the age of retirement for an officer in the rank of the Assistant Superintendent of Police up to the Inspector General is 60 years, while in Uganda, all police officers are required to retire at the age of 55 or after 20 years of continued service,” Hassan said.
“There is, however, no distinct age of retirement for the Deputy Inspector General.”
Kenya’s Police Service Opposes Age Limits For Police IG, Deputies
