SERVICE IN THE SECURITY & DEFENCE FORCES IS NOT FOR THE FAINT HEARTED; “HELPING” OR PUSHING YOUTH TO JOIN IS RISKING LIVES.

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