Police, AP recruitment targets 7,000

Business

By Cyrus Ombati

On Wednesday thousands of unemployed Kenyan youths will scramble for 7,000 vacancies up for grabs in the regular and Administration Police units.

In what would be a first of its kind, the countrywide recruitments would be carried out at one district venue and time with District Commissioners acting as the recruiting officers.

Out of those to be recruited, 4,000 will join the Administration Police force while the rest would be divided between regular Police and General Service Unit.

The recruits will start training next month and would be ready for duty in time for next general election in 2012, even though they would still be undergoing training. This is the first time the exercise is being conducted in one day and jointly for the various police units, signalling that two forces that have not historically been at par will have to work together under one command as per the new laws.

The minimum requirement for the recruits is a C (plain) in Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE), up from the D (Plain). Those wishing to join the force would have to be within the age bracket of 18-28 years. The age bracket for university graduates has been stretched to 30 years.

The Government has also announced those with grades lower than C (plain) still stand a chance in areas where the pass marks have been low. "As we have said, the mean grade will be C, except for places where there will be none. That, however, has to be exceptional for the recruits to be taken and the issue of gender has to be observed," said Internal Security PS Francis Kimemia on Monday.

The exercise is likely to lock out thousands of youths who are still waiting for their identification cards, but there is a likelihood candidates with waiting cards may be considered. This is the first time the police force is recruiting such a large number at the same time.

The aim of the exercise is to fill a gap that has been created by a moratorium put in place in 2009 to allow for Police reforms.

Personnel

It is also intended to supplement the Police population ahead of the 2012 General Election during which security agencies anticipate an upsurge in criminal activity.

During the exercise, Officers Commanding Police Divisions and AP Commandants in the respective districts will serve as recruitment co-secretaries.

The Office of the President, under which the Internal Security Ministry falls, on Monday said all systems were in place for the exercise.

Several senior police officers had by Thursday been moved to various districts where there is a shortage of personnel to oversee the exercise.

Commissioner of Police Mathew Iteere and AP commandant Kinuthia Mbugua said on Monday commanders overseeing the exercise on the ground have been given proper instructions on what is expected of them.

The local National Security Intelligence Service officers and Criminal Investigations commanders as well as anti-corruption agents will be observing the exercise to thwart bribery and other malpractices.

Officials from the Commission of Implementation of the Constitution (CIC) will also be there to monitor the recruitment.

To improve transparency, civilians have also been included in the recruiting panel. All divisional police chiefs, District Criminal Investigation Officers and District Commissioners, among other select Provincial Administration members, have been trained at various provincial headquarters in readiness for the exercise.

For the first time, recruits will be asked to fill forms to indicate their personal details before they are taken through other physical and medical tests. The recruits will be asked if they want to join the Administration Police or Kenya Police before they are allowed to join the colleges between May 12 and 15.

The recruitment will take place at all the 286 district headquarters to pave the way for a 15-month training programme at Administration Police Training College in Embakasi and Kiganjo Police College in Nyeri.

Kimemia explained the new recruits would need to apply for the vacancies by filling forms to be provided at the recruitment centres. Those lucky to be taken, will be told so, on the same day.

Kimemia said the number of successful recruits from each district would be openly announced openly after the exercise.

Training

Constables will be trained for 15 months including a three-month compulsory internship while cadets will be in college for 21 months, including a three-month internship programme.

In the past, the recruits have been undergoing a nine-month training programme at the colleges without internship.

The new group will be trained in management, research methodology, judicial procedure, information security management, psychology, cyber-crime, customer care, human rights and security and safety in general.

The new recruits will be joining the force in time to enjoy new perks for policemen that take effect on July 1. The Government has set a side Sh9 billion towards increment of police salaries and allowances.

Some Sh4.7 billion has been budgeted for the payment of the allowances to some Police and Prison Officers beginning next year in addition to the Sh5.1 billion for salaries in the proposed new salaries.

Those who will get the allowances include officers from Presidential Escort, GSU ‘G’ Company, Flying Squad, Special Crime Prevention Unit, AP Rapid Deployment and Border Patrol Units, Instructors, Police Air Wing and animal handlers.

Officers in other sections will benefit when there will be review of other allowances that are common to the Civil Service and applicable to both Police and Prisons departments such as house and hardship allowances.

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