Interior and National Administration Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen on Thursday announced tough measures in the next recruitment of police officers.
The CS addressed the issue at the National Police Training College Main Campus, Kiganjo, in Nyeri County, during an assessment visit of the Recruits’ Basic Training Course.
The CS was accompanied by Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja, Deputy Inspector General (KPS) Eliud Lagat, Central Regional Commissioner Joshua Nkanatha, and other senior government officials.
He commended the National Police Service (NPS) for dismissing 54 recruits from Kiganjo Police Training College over disciplinary and integrity issues.
The CS said that the service will enhance the process through stricter assessment of cognitive abilities and criminal records, and conducting drug tests to ensure only qualified and disciplined individuals are recruited.
“Recruitment processes must change, especially on psychometric assessment and drug testing. We will be tougher,” he said.
The CS said the recruits are eagerly awaited. He noted that they are expected to strengthen efforts to address security threats across the country. He emphasized that the threats include criminal gangs and politically sponsored goons.
“The same politicians who were accusing the government over goons are today complaining because we deployed a few police officers to crack down on them. These recruits will be instrumental in the fight,” he said.
While commending the standards of police training institutions in the country, the CS also noted that Kenya would greatly benefit from establishing a Police University. He added that this would not only serve the country, but also attract trainees from neighbouring countries and beyond.
“There is a huge appetite from our neighbours for our training facilities. We have a great opportunity if we establish a properly structured Police University in Kenya,” he said.
