Transparency In Joint Police Recruitment? Really?

Unlike the usual shrouded-in-darkness security agencies' recruitment, the last KWS Rangers recruitment exercise was a pacesetter in that for the first time they invited members of the public, Kenya Anti-Corruption Commission and NGOs to witness the recruitment and ensure transparency and fairness. 

The rather bold and out-of-the-box method was resorted to after the fiasco of a previous recruitment that not only cost Director Mukolwe's job but also his reputation after influence-peddling government officials interfered with demands for guaranteed slots. So his successor, the superstar CEO Kipngetich decided to be transparent and  fair in the recruitment, obviously driven by a desire to keep the politicians out of the exercise and also chart a new path in line with his pacesetting techniques.

This new mode of recruitment was so endearing that even Kenya Airports Authority who were recruiting security staff decided to conduct theirs jointly with KWS. It all went well. 

It seems that the oft-maligned Kenya Police has also joined the transparency bandwagon and with a new and improved twist. They will recruit 7000 potential police officers in all 286 districts simultaneously and with results known on the same day too. The sibling rivalry between regular Police and Administration Police seems to have been set aside so as to conduct the interview jointly. 

The applicants will be applying in writing before the physical examination and fitness tests. Recruits will be asked what their choice force is and admitted to a 15 month training course accordingly.

In what seems to be advance implementation of the Police reforms, trainees will be allowed internship before formal recruitment to gauge suitability. One of the key recommendations of the Naikuni-led reforms committee, is a halt to the outright recruitment of  any and every person who completes a 6-month training in Kiganjo or Embakasi which is seen as a cause of the many obviously unsuitable and unstable police officers that litter the force and are evidenced by the rising suicide cases and gun-accidents usually involving a disgruntled junior shooting a senior.

It will be interesting to see if all 286 centres will be true to the national brief and keep away from temptations that recruits will bring to the exercises. I am also curious to see what tricks the Kamiti inmates known to send thousands of enticing text messages "offering" positions to a gullible Kenyan public hungry for employment opportunities for a small "fee" will come up with! Twenty four hours may prove too short for them to swindle enough people.

Its interesting that the Police Force have adopted the recruitment mode from a man touted to be the likely  next Inspector-General of Police! Makes for good cocktail small talk. 

I am sure some of the recruitment drama will be served to you on the Friday night TV satirical servings of Newshot, Flipside and Bullseye.