Thousands shun chance to join police

 SHARE BOOKMARKPRINTRATING

By NATION TEAM newsdesk@ke.nationmedia.com
Posted  Friday, November 23  2012 at  00:32

IN SUMMARY

• In Dagoretti, of the 35 recruits picked, 15 will join the Kenya Police while GSU and AP will get 10 each.
• In Baringo, there was a poor turnout amid claims that youth were discouraged by the recent massacre of more than 40 officers at Baragoi.
• Turnout was poor at most centres, with security officers blaming the Suguta Valley killings “for demoralising youth”.

SHARE THIS STORY

Thousands of youths on Thursday skipped a police recruitment drive following thekilling of 40 officers in Baragoi.

The recruitment, meant to boost numbers ahead of the March 4 General Election, was conducted in just one day unlike in the past when it would take up to two weeks.

Of the targeted 7,000 recruits, 4,000 will join the Kenya Police while the rest will join Administration Police training colleges.

In Dagoretti, of the 35 recruits picked, 15 will join the Kenya Police while GSU and AP will get 10 each.

In Baringo, there was a poor turnout amid claims that youth were discouraged by the recent massacre of more than 40 officers at Baragoi.

The recruitment, which was carried out at Kabarnet Municipal Stadium by Baringo police boss Charles Musewe, acting Baringo Central DC Josephine Kihara, District Criminal Investigation Officer Wanjala Webi and area AP Commandant Stephen Kirui, attracted very few women.

Mr Musewe, however, said he was happy with the turnout. “Considering the qualification grade was increased to C (plain), the turnout was encouraging,” he said.

Of the 17 youth chosen, four will join the Kenya Police, the General Service Unit (GSU) will get three while the Administration Police will take 10.

In Migori, 168 youth were recruited. The Kenya Police will absorb 98 while the Administration Police will take in 70. More than 30 of the recruits are women.

Turnout was poor at most centres, with security officers blaming the Suguta Valley killings “for demoralising youth”.

“If my son can be left to rot in the bush after being killed while serving his country, I would rather he pursues another career,” Mrs Mary Okello said.

In Murang’a and Nyeri, youths also shunned the recruitment drive. “My parents warned me against it, saying they would not like me to meet the same fate as the officers in Baragoi,” Ms Joy Wairimu in Nyeri Town said.

Only 60 youth turned up in Murang’a East while Kandara District had 90. The situation was the same in Gatanga with women staying away — a situation recruiting officers attributed to the high grades required to join the police force.

It was a similar story at Ruring’u Stadium in Nyeri where a handful of candidates turned up, with a few others watching from a distance.

In Homa Bay, youth said they would not risk joining the police following the Baragoi massacre. “The killings are still fresh in my mind,” said one.