Police, IPOA clash over proposal to cap IG's age at 60 years

IPOA Chairperson Ahmed Issack Hassan leads fellow commissioners before the Committee on Administration and Internal Security at Bunge Towers on November 11, 2025. [Elvis Ogina,Standard]

The National Police Service (NPS) and the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) have clashed over a proposal to cap the age of the Inspector General (IG) and Deputy Inspector General (DIG) at 60 years.

Appearing before the National Assembly Committee on Administration and Internal Security, the two institutions differed on the National Police Service (Amendment) Bill, 2025, which seeks to bar anyone aged 60 or above from being appointed as IG. The Bill also proposes term limits for Deputy Inspectors-General.

Inspector General Douglas Kanja opposed the amendment, arguing that leadership should be based on competence, integrity and experience rather than age.

He said the Service continues to benefit from seasoned leaders whose wisdom and foresight are crucial in addressing modern security challenges.

“Imposing a strict age cap may exclude qualified and visionary officers from national security leadership merely because of chronological age,” said Kanja, urging Parliament to retain the current provisions.

However, IPOA supported the proposal, noting it aligns with regional and national laws on retirement.

The Authority said the Public Service Act sets the retirement age at 60 years, while officers with disabilities retire at 65.

“In Tanzania, officers up to the rank of Inspector General retire at 60, while in Uganda they retire at 55. In Rwanda, the Commissioner of Police, equivalent to the IG, retires at 60,” IPOA stated, adding that the proposal promotes consistency across the region.

The Law Society of Kenya (LSK) also backed the amendment, saying it would enhance merit-based and transparent appointments.

LSK President Faith Odhiambo proposed that IGs or DIGs who complete their terms before 60 be redeployed in strategic or advisory roles to preserve institutional memory.

The National Association of Retired Police Officers-Kenya (NAPROK) also supported the age cap, saying appointments should occur before 60, with office holders serving their full four-year term.

The Bill, sponsored by Teso North MP Oku Kaunya, now heads to the committee stage before being tabled for the third reading.