Many in race for police jobs but few are chosen

They put all they had to get the job. They panted, gasped for air and bore the brunt of police machismo. Thousands of young people from all counties had their eyes on the prize. Some made it. A majority failed.

That the phrase “giving up” was coined by a failure best describes Ms Gladys Jepkechei from Baringo who has attempted to join the disciplined forces four times.

Ms Jepkechei, 24, was in the news in 2010 after being enlisted in Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) but later dismissed for being pregnant when she reported at the Recruit Training School (RTS), Eldoret.

(READ: Pregnancy claim that snatched a girl’s Army dream)

She turned up at the Kenya Police recruitment at Kabarnet Stadium on Monday.

So determined was Ms Jepkechei that she comfortably came first in the race to test the recruits’ physical fitness.

Apart from attempting to join KDF twice, Ms Jepkechei has also tried her luck with the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS).

Ms Jepkechei who hails from Kabarbarma village in Baringo central was yet to know her fate by the time of going to press as she was still undergoing medical examination.

The recruitment saw thousands turn up to try to join the regular police, the General Service Unit and Administration Police after the government advertised 10,000 vacancies. (READ: Thousands turn up to join police service)

The Kabarnet sight was replicated in the other counties. Some hopefuls were disqualified for using other means to reach the finishing point, including riding motorcycles.

At Kabarnet, 49 were enlisted from the four divisions of Salawa, Kabarnet, Tenges and Sacho.

Ms Jepkechei was the only successful woman in Baringo Central constituency to land the KDF job in 2010. She reported to the barracks on October 25, 2010 and was given her service number 109524.

After some tests she was told she was pregnant and unfit to take part in the tough military training.

Strangely, in the other test she went for at Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital, the pregnancy results were negative.

During Monday’s exercise, there was confusion, this time about administrative boundaries.

Sogon and Moigutwo sub-locations and Kiponjos, Bekibon and Tulungoi locations legislatively fall in MP Grace Kipchoim’s Baringo South Constituency but administratively belong to Baringo Central represented by Mr Sammy Mwaita.

Ms Kipchoim advised interested youths from the areas to try their luck in Kabarnet Town, Baringo Central.

IGCSE PAPERS REJECTED

In Mombasa, confusion reigned over papers other than the Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) examination.

Two brothers Robin Gichohi and Stepehen Wachira presented their International General Certificate of Secondary Education (IGCSE) papers which were initially rejected.

“The fate of other IGSCE students is on the line. This is discrimination,” Gichohi said.

The two who are pursuing undergraduate studies were also said to be overqualified.

Eventually Wachira produced his equalisation certificate and was allowed to the next step. His brother was left out.

Sixty young people from Changamwe were recruited into force.

In Nakuru nearly 1,000 showed up at Afraha Stadium. Only 37 were picked.

The exercise attracted a huge turnout compared to previous ones. Recruits began arriving as early as 5am.

At the same time, 500 turned up for the exercise at Kihoto Grounds in Naivasha. It was supervised by Deputy County Commissioner Abraham Kemboi. Many were turned away for not attaining the minimum grade D+ or lacking identification cards.

Mr Kemboi said this years’ exercise was gender and regional balanced.

From the 37 recruited, 23 will serve in the Administration Police whereas 14 will be absorbed in the regular Police.