Thousands of young Kenyans every year scramble for the limited slots in the Kenya Police, and latest recruitment exercise saw its share of drama.
There are 4,000 vacancies to be filled at the Kenya Police constables’ level, 3,000 for the Administrative Police (AP) and 700 cadets. Bearing in mind that youth unemployment constitutes 70 percent of total unemployment in the country, 7000 slots in the latest Kenya National Police Service recruitment exercise was a tough fight for most of the unemployed youth, it’s no wonder there was lots of drama in this recruitment exercise.
A young man collapsed and died after taking part in a 6km race during a police recruitment exercise in Kisii. The 20-year-old collapsed immediately after completing the race at Keroka Stadium and was rushed to Gucha District Hospital where he died.
As a requirement, all potential police recruits are required to take part in the race to gauge their fitness. Seems like this race has it’s take on most potential recruits as Joseph Gikonyo lost his temper minutes after finishing the mandatory lap and was informed that he failed to qualify in recruitment exercise.
Gikonyo punched and kicked a police officer and attempts by the police to restrain him proved to be a tough affair as he resisted their attempts to handle him.
The police had to use the intervention of a doctor at the recruitment center who sedated him but still he proved difficult to over power.
Gikonyo’s dream of joining the Kenya Police, and perhaps exit the overcrowded realm of unemployment, came to an end as he was driven to the Rift Valley General Provincial Hospital in Nakuru where doctors examined him for mental fitness and later released him to the police who promptly detained for questioning.
This is yet another Kenyan youth who was unfortunate unable to get his dream job, as it is the plight of many other young Kenyans.
Watch the clip of Gikonyo slapping a police officer. Video is sourced from KTN.
