By Linet Amuli - Reporter
Kenya, 12 November 2025 - The debate over whether Kenya’s top police commanders should face a retirement age limit has intensified, with Deputy Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja firmly rejecting the proposal even as several oversight bodies support it.
Appearing before the National Assembly Committee on Administration and Internal Security on Tuesday, Kanja argued that police leadership should be determined by merit, experience, and professionalism rather than by age. He said that enforcing an age cap could lock out experienced officers who still have much to contribute to the service.
“Age should not be a disqualifying factor,” Kanja told MPs. “Competence, integrity, and strategic ability must guide appointments to the offices of Inspector General and Deputy Inspectors General.”
Kanja made his submission during deliberations on the National Police Service (Amendment) Bill, 2025, introduced by Teso North MP Oku Kaunya. The Bill proposes setting 60 years as the maximum age for appointment to the position of Inspector General (IG) and introducing a five-year term for Deputy IGs , positions that currently have no age or term restrictions.
The proposal has received backing from the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA), the National Police Service Commission (NPSC), and the Law Society of Kenya (LSK). These institutions argue that such limits would enhance accountability, align the police service with wider public service norms, and ensure regular leadership renewal.
IPOA noted that neighboring countries already apply similar standards , Tanzania retires police officers at 60, while Uganda caps retirement at 55 or after 20 years of service. “The changes would promote transparency and consistency within police management,” IPOA submitted.
The Bill also seeks to reintroduce defined procedures for appointing and removing the IG and Deputy IGs, provisions that were scrapped in 2014. Currently, the President may appoint any individual, including a civilian, to the IG role, with Parliament only conducting vetting.
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Police veterans under the National Association of Retired Police Officers of Kenya (NARPOK) want the posts reserved for career officers with command experience. The NPSC added that any age-based rule should not affect serving officeholders appointed before turning 60, suggesting they be allowed to complete their terms.
Committee members, including Col. (Rtd.) Dido Rasso and Francis Sigey, supported setting an age limit, warning that the absence of one could stagnate career progression for younger officers.
The LSK also endorsed the reform, calling it “a progressive measure” to foster integrity and succession planning within the service. They further proposed that IGs completing their terms before 60 could be redeployed within the public sector.
Represented by NPS Legal Services Director Amos Obuga, Kanja maintained that seasoned officers are vital in navigating complex security issues and mentoring future leaders.
“Imposing a blanket age limit risks eliminating competent, visionary officers from leadership simply because of their years,” he said. Kanja reminded lawmakers that under Article 245(7) of the Constitution, the IG can only be removed for misconduct, incompetence, incapacity, or other constitutional reasons.
As the committee wrapped up its session, Vice Chair Col. (Rtd.) Dido Rasso assured that all submissions , from police leadership to oversight bodies , would be evaluated before a report is presented to Parliament.
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