 |
| Recruits lining up for the Selection Process |
The just concluded recruitment of constables by
the National Police Service has attracted a load of negative comments since its
commencement. The blogosphere, social and mainstream media are rife with
allegations of malpractice ranging from unfairness, discrimination and outright
bribery. Some pressure groups are now threatening court action while the
Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) has called for the annulment and
repeat of the entire exercise altogether. However, what caught my attention
were comments on social media questioning and complaining of the long hours
(into the night) prospective recruits were kept at Recruitment Centers in some
parts of the country. For starters, that is really nothing. Ordinarily it takes
between two and three weeks of continuous rigorous test; physical exercise and
several oral interviews to qualify as a Cadet (trainee officer) in the combat
formations of the Defence Forces. For Cadet Officers who offer Specialist
Services such as Lawyers, Engineers, Medical Doctors, Graduate Teachers, Pharmacists
and Architects etc the recruitment process takes a period of not less than 48
hours.
 |
| Recruit going through a physical body check. |
Those who were complaining about time ought to appreciate
that the National Police Service was not recruiting Boy Scouts and Girl Guides
but men and women who can prove beyond reasonable doubt that they can hack the
rigours of Para-military training and drill. People who can withstand the
painstaking training which converts raw civilians into fighting machines that
can endure extreme physical stress and live fire combat. And yes, the
Recruiting Officer has a cardinal duty to ensure that all those recruited are
medically and physically fit and that they have their full set of teeth as well
as other vital body organs (some of which we cannot mention in a family
newspaper) in good working order. Nobody should ever get recruited unless and
until the results of the Laboratory Tests are out and confirmatory. And there
are many good reasons for that. Many a times; men and women in uniform are
posted in far-flung areas where they cannot access ordinary life amenities and
they must be able to feed and survive on ice cold food, dry ration and very
little water. That is when successful recruits get to appreciate the importance
of their teeth, tongue, eyes, ears, nose, toes, fingers and other body organs
civilians take for granted.
Security forces are not for sissy sassy hood boys
and girls. If there are parents who love their children so much that they think
that waiting at the Recruitment Center for over 15 hours is a breach of their
rights, they ought to think twice. They should in fact withdraw their soft boys
and girls from the process entirely. Most have no idea what awaits the success
recruits at the training center and boot camp. The recruits’ physical and
mental endurance will be stretched to the maximum; the soft “mummy” and “daddy”
boys and girls will fall out, or may even die before the training is over.
 |
| Police in action during a violent public protest. |
Kenyans ought to appreciate that service in the Armed
and Security forces is not an ordinary job or a business to make money. It calls
for the ultimate sacrifice and the threat of death is real and constant
considering the high levels of insecurity and many incidents of terrorism in
Kenya and the region. The pay is also low compared to other similar and far
less risky occupations. It is paradoxical that people are willing to pay bribes
to get into a career which has a permanent and guaranteed risk of death. Young
Kenyans should be taught right from school that they should only aspire to join
the security forces if they are ready to serve and consider it a patriotic duty
to do so. Those that join the disciplined forces either because it’s the only
“job” they can do or they want to make money and get rich quickly cannot, will
not and will never defend Kenya or protect its citizens. For a song, they will
trade any intelligence (Daily Situation & Crime Reports) for money from terrorists
and organized or politically sponsored criminal gangs. Enlistment in the
defence and security forces is about patriotism, service, pride & honour. It is not about
money; you make money in business. Any parent or public servant who
participated in “pushing” or “helping” their children or relatives to join the
National Police Service should be ashamed of themselves. Requests for such “help”
ought to be treated with supreme contempt because they put the lives of the
recruits and Kenyans at guaranteed risk!
Twitter: @DeCaptainCFE
Twitter: @DeCaptainCFE
