Youths in West Pokot, Sengwer protest 'sham' police intake

West Pokot, Kenya: Over 200 youths Wednesday took to the streets of Sigor town in West Pokot County to protest against alleged corruption in the police recruitment exercise carried out Monday.

Led by Lomut Ward Representative Hellen Madio, the youths, carying leaves and twigs matched to the sub county commissioner's office to seek audience.

Business was interrupted for a while as the protestors marched across the township chanting anti-corruption songs while waving placards with inscriptions that expressed their bitterness.

They complained that those who were recruited in the service were foreigners while others were from the same families.

"Over 300 youths from my ward turned up for the exercise but not even one was recruited. Those who were employed did not even participate in the race," Ms Madio said.

 Two slots

She called for a repeat of the exercise in the area pointing out that each ward and location should be considered to ensure balancing.

"My parents sold everything to educate me. I became position one in the race during recruitment and sailed through all the stages successfully. However, I was perplexed to be rejected without any explanation," lamented Jane Loriwo.

Musa Tekelezi, a former councilor observed that the 28 positions offered were sufficient for each location in the area to get at least two slots.

Great shame

"It was a great shame that some few people tend to perpetrate corruption," he said.

Security bosses in the area could not be reached for comment as they were said to be out of office.

Elsewhere in Kapenguria, members of the minority Sengwer community claimed the exercise was a sham.

Former deputy mayor in the defunct municipal council, William Cheparko claimed the community was sidelined in the recruitment exercise.

He said elders from the community were drafting an appeal letter to Interior Principal Secretary which he said will be delivered soon.