In Nairobi, the exercise was held at the Nyayo National Stadium, where more than 800 candidates were locked out due to various reasons – including arriving late and not meeting the set standards/KEVIN GITAU
NAIROBI, Kenya, Apr 4 – The recruitment of 10,000 police officers kicked off Monday morning in a countrywide exercise with many candidates complaining that they have been locked out.
In Nairobi, the exercise was held at the Nyayo National Stadium, where more than 800 candidates were locked out due to various reasons – including arriving late and not meeting the set standards.
“They had told us that we were locked out because of being late and I was here at 8.02am. I see that is not really good as those who were allowed in were less than 300,” Ben Odhiambo, one of the prospective candidates stated.
“When we reached the venue, they told us that we should be have two copies of our certificates. When we went to do that and came back, we were locked out,” 22 year old Anne Njeri, complained.
Those who failed to make the cut expressed disappointment while stating that they should have been given more time.
“This is my first time to try out here in Nairobi but I had tried in Bomet several times and today I have been told that I do not have a birth certificate and that is really disappointing,” stated Joseph Kipkoech.
“When I came here, I had high hopes of being taken into the police force but since I did not have a birth certificate, I failed to meet the cut,” Bernard Nzioka who had come all the way from Machakos said.
Inside the stadium, many were eliminated since they did not have the relevant certificates while others fell short as they did not have the required physical attributes – state of teeth and body scars – which disqualified them.
An officer who was taking part in the process told Capital FM News that they were also looking at the arch on the soles of the candidates as those who qualified would have to be physically fit as they had to walk long distances on patrol.
In Kisumu, confusion and low turnout marred the start of the exercise as potential recruits shuttled from one centre to the other.
A parent to one of the candidates pointed out that the exact venue for the police recruitment was not properly communicate, leading to the confusion.
“The problem that is there is that there was a lot of confusion on the venue where the recruits were supposed to be examined. As a result of that, they arrived late at the venue and we knew that this would cause a lot of problems,” she said.
Kisumu County Administration Police Commandant Joseph Keitany admitted the anomaly and as a result even allowed candidates who turned up late to take part.
“We will not lock the recruits out because of the confusion that was occasioned due to a lack of coordination and clarity about the centres. We will ensure that they all get a chance,” he said.
The exercise which was being overseen by Inspector General of Police Joseph Boinnet was carried out in 331 centres in 290 constituencies.
According to the chairman of the National Police Service Commission Johnstone Kavuludi, stringent measures had been taken to ensure the exercise is a success.
Kavuludi further warned the public against giving bribes to get slots during the exercise
His sentiments come even as one person was arrested within Nairobi for defrauding a family of Sh50,000 on assurance that he will influence the enlisting of their son during the recruitment exercise.
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