It is a temporary reprieve to the National Police Service after a petition challenging the ongoing police recruitment exercise was withdrawn today.
The case was withdrawn after it was , filed earlier this month by Sheria Mtaani, a Kenyan Lobby Group which questioned the fairness and legality of the recruitment.
Lawyers Danstan Omari and Shadrack Wambui, appearing for Sheria Mtaani, argued that thousands of youths across the country had pinned their hopes on joining the police service, with the organization receiving more than 20,000 calls and messages urging intervention.
Petitioners stressed that many young people had already spent scarce resources traveling to recruitment centers, and halting the process would frustrate their dreams.
However, during Tuesday’s court session, the petitioners informed the court that they wished to withdraw the case in its entirety.
They cited the urgent need to fill gaps in the police service, especially as the country moves toward the 2027 general elections.
The court heard that the number of police officers had dwindled due to retirements and deployment of officers on international assignments such as the Haiti mission.
Lawyer Paul Nyamodi, appearing for the Inspector General, told the court he had no objection to the withdrawal.
All other parties similarly raised no opposition.
Justice Mugambi consequently allowed the withdrawal of the petition, marking the end of the short-lived legal challenge to the police recruitment exercise.