POOR TURNOUT MARS POLICE HIRING

POOR TURNOUT MARS POLICE HIRING

Some sailed through to join Kiganjo Police College. Others suffered a double loss after quitting their jobs, only to be declared unfit to join the National Police Service.

Ms Bessy Nkatha, a resident of Imenti North, had been picked to join the Administration Police in last year’s recruitment that was cancelled over corruption.

On Monday, she had confidently joined other candidates at Kinoru Primary School, hoping to reclaim her lost chance. She was rejected.

“I have turned down two job offers, hoping to get recruited into the police force after the previous one was cancelled,” lamented the 22-year-old, who had kept the items she had bought last year, ready to join the AP.

Ms Nkatha said she would have come second in the race had the two women who beat her not been allegedly “assisted” by motorcyclists.

But Maara OCPD John Njihia said the recruitment was transparent.

Candidates seeking police jobs do a physical exercise under the guidance of an officer at Kabarnet Stadium in Baringo Central on April 20, 2015. PHOTO | CHEBOITE KIGEN |

NATION MEDIA GROUP

In Embu County, there was a low turnout for Monday’s recruitment. Unlike during past recruitment exercises when hundreds of hopefuls thronged Embu Stadium, only a handful showed up.

The officer in charge of the recruitment, Ms Catherine Irungu, said four women and eight men were selected to join regular police, while one woman and six men qualified to join AP.

Low turnout was also witnessed in Taita-Taveta County. County Police Commander Richard Bitonga and local AP Commander Joseph Mativo said no irregularities had been reported. A total of 112 youth were recruited into regular police, while 44 were selected to join the AP. 

In Mombasa, many recruits who had qualified to join the service in last year’s recruitment were rejected. Mr Rama Swalleh Rama, who was disqualified at Mwangala Primary School grounds in Dongo Kundu, said he should have been admitted based on his performance last year.

Ukunda OCPD Joseph Omijah said they strictly adhered to the rules.

Meanwhile, in Bomet County one young man was arrested for participating in a road race to secure employment for his friend.

The suspect had beaten hundreds of participants in a seven-kilometre race when he was found out.

In Nyamira County, many young people’s dreams of joining the service were shattered after they were turned away for being physically unfit.

In neighbouring Kisii County, poor a turnout was experienced during the recruitment at Gusii Stadium.