Kenyan Police Service recruits perform during the graduation ceremony at the Embakasi Training College/XINHUA-File
The audit that was carried by a multi agency group reviewed 621 complaints received from various centres.
The Chairman of the National Police Service Commission Johnstone Kavuludi says the cancellation will affect 1,215 candidates who were hired irregularly.
“These complaints were analysed to determine the extent to which the recruitment process complied with the laid down guidelines and more specifically to ensure that there was fairness, transparency and integrity in the exercise,” he stated.
A total of 10,000 police recruits were being hired in 289 centres countrywide before complaints of irregularities arose from various quarters among them Members of Parliament.
Kavuludi says a taskforce formed to investigate the exercise has established that there were irregularities in the 36 centres.
“Arising from the nature raised in the complaints, the commission is of the considered view that some recruitment centres fell short of the standards set and as such the exercise in those centres needs to be annulled and a repeat of the same be undertaken,” he said.
As a result, he says various agencies involved in the recruitment exercise will take disciplinary action against those who will be found culpable.
He said: “the Ministry of Interior and National Co-ordination will take appropriate administrative and disciplinary action against Sub-County Commissioners, Ministry of Health against medical officers, Ministry of Education against education officers and the National Police Service against police officers found responsible and guilty for the malpractices complained about.”
The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission will deal with acts which are criminal in nature, corruption and indicate professional misconduct.
“These cases will be vigorously pursued and prosecuted and the results shall be made public,” he assured.
Centres affected were in Tigoni East, Nyandarua, Nyeri, Kangema, Kigumo, Narok, Kipkelion centre in Kericho County, Bomet centre in Bomet County and West Pokot.
Others include Meru County, Isiolo County, Mandera County, West Pokot County, Elgeyo Marakwet County, Kericho County, Njoro police station in Nakuru County and Kakamega County.
On Monday, the High Court issued orders restraining the National Police Service Commission from issuing admission letters to any of the 10,000 police recruits, until a suit challenging the hiring is heard and determined.
READ Court blocks police recruits’ selection letters
The order was issued by Justice Mumbi Ngugi, in a case filed by the Independent Policing Oversight Authority, which wants the entire recruitment nullified, over corruption claims.
The judge has directed the matter be heard on August 20 to determine the complaints raised by IPOA.
Kavuludi said the commission will however comply with the court order, “but noted it has not restrained the commission from carrying out its work.”
“The court ruling is to the effect that no letters should be given to the police recruits until further orders are given.”
The exercise used Sh87 million set aside during this financial year.
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