- The National Police Service opened a nationwide recruitment targeting 10,000 constables after a court cleared the exercise.
- In Homa Bay, many youths were removed during medical checks, with the eye test causing the highest number of disqualifications
- Disqualified applicants, including Carlos Otieno and Rolex Opiyo, protested the screening method and urged the government to review the criteria
- Recruitment officers said the process was smooth, citing standard checks on age, academics, physical fitness and medical evaluation
Didacus Malowa, a journalist at TUKO.co.ke, brings over three years of experience covering politics and current affairs in Kenya.
The National Police Service has embarked on a nationwide recruitment drive, targeting 10,000 police constables.
Source: UGC
On Monday, November 17, police officers hit 427 centres across the country, following a High Court ruling that lifted an order suspending the exercise.
A police recruitment drive in Homa Bay has stirred frustration among hopeful candidates after several youths were removed from the exercise during medical checks.
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What triggered frustration at Homa Bay recruitment centre?
Long queues formed outside examination points as candidates moved through a sequence that included age verification, academic checks, physical fitness assessment and medical evaluation.
Each stage filtered out more applicants, but the ‘tough’ eye test drew the most attention in Homa Bay.
Carlos Otieno stepped out of the exercise with disappointment written on his face as he lamented about being disqualified.
He revealed that he had hoped to secure a chance in the service, explaining his struggle with the eye movement requirement.
Not to give up on his dream, Carlos stated that he would try the next time the police were recruiting more constables.
“I came to try my luck today, but when I tried to close one eye like this, I was removed from the process. This is why I got dropped. God willing, next time I will try again,” Otieno stated.
Nearby, frustration simmered among other young people, with Rolex Opiyo voicing strong concerns about the screening method.
He said the requirement felt unfair for many youths, urging the government to take action to avoid having more youths locked out.
“The main reason I am being disqualified is only that eye issue, the eye movements. Even I was surprised, what were they looking for? If I position them like this they say it is also wrong. Please give us something else we can do. Many people out here are being removed over small things,”Opiyo, another resident, lamented.
How did recruitment officers respond to the concerns?
According to the recruitment officers, the procedures followed the standard checklist used across the country.
Source: Getty Images
The police officers overseeing the exercise at the Homa Bay centre described the process as smooth and orderly.
“Today’s exercise has been good. We found these young people cooperative, they reported on time, and we have continued with the process without any problem. We intend to recruit a reasonable number. We are assessing several areas, starting with age, followed by academic qualifications, physical assessment, and medical assessment,” said the police.
Godfrey Mutai:
“Let them blame the orbicularis oculi muscle and dysfunction of the facial granial nerve.”
Julius Marereh:
“He will not be to do range work well. In the battlefield you have to close one eye for better aiming.”
Psalmy Gitau:
“Closing one eye in police department is a very crucial thing,,sometimes we use it as alertness in combat field.”
Obwachinamaduabuchi Real Husband:
“Going home or not going.”
Rozelle Treezar:
“That’s a very important exercise. How will you signal drivers that you’ve seen the “kanoti” thrown beside the road as the vehicles fly by?”
Why was Baringo man disqualified by recruiters?
In a related report, Idris Kiprop, a man from Baringo Central, protested after he was disqualified from Kenya’s police recruitment drive for failing to meet the minimum height requirement.
He said he has tried to join the force for eight years, even completing training with the National Youth Service and studying ICT, but remains blocked by his stature.
Kiprop argued that physical height should not trump competence and intelligence, asking whether “height or brain” should determine suitability for service.
Source: TUKO.co.ke
