KNCHR provides hotlines for reporting malpractice in police recruitment

The National Commission on Human Rights wants Kenyans to report to them any form of malpractice in Monday's national police recruitment drive.

Kenya National Commission on Human Rights provided the SMS line 22359 or call number 0724256448 or 0733 780 000 asked people to send messages, call or reach them via social media through @hakiKNCHR or its Facebook page to report any malpractice.

KNCHR will have monitors stationed at 120 centres out of the designated 292 centres, ensuring representation in each of the 47 Counties.

Vice chairman George Morara said KNCHR has the power and mandate to monitor state and non-state actors to ensure that they comply with both National and International laws and policies as well as human rights standards in all their undertakings.

“It is in this regard that the Commission, together with partners in the Police Reforms Working Group, will be engaging in monitoring the process of the 2016 countrywide police recruitment exercise that commences on Monday 4th April 2016,” he said.

He said the monitoring exercise is aimed at strengthening and reinforcing efforts by the National Police Service towards realizing its key values of accountability, transparency, and professionalism that would ultimately lead to the realization of Security Sector Reforms in the Country.

Morara acknowledged the improvement on transparency in the process which has encouraged fairness and impartiality in police recruitment.

A previous police recruitment exercise. The National Commission on Human Rights wants Kenyans to report to them any form of malpractice in Monday's national police recruitment drive. (PHOTO: COURTESY)

“However, in order to enhance transparency even further, we recommend that the National Police Service Commission ensures that there are operational complaints desks at all centres so as to be able to serve candidates better.”

He said despite the gazzettement of regulations on recruitment by the Commission, they continue to witness non-compliance of the same.

Some 10,000 recruits will be recruited in the exercise. The majority of the new recruits who will be successful in the drive will join major anti-terror units to boost the campaign against terrorism.

Inspector General of police Joseph Boinnet said the new recruits will be trained in other important areas to help secure the country at large.

"They will join anti-terror units to help in the ongoing campaign. You know this exercise is unique because the new team will be bonded for ten years," he said. 

The Commission has put in place stringent measures to avert bribery and manipulation during the drive.