Wamuzi News Ke
A dramatic confrontation unfolded yesterday afternoon in Tiaty Sub-County, where angry residents disrupted a nationwide police recruitment exercise, accusing recruitment officers of allowing outsiders to take part.Armed with tree branches, locals marched into the recruitment grounds in Koloa, demanding an immediate halt to proceedings.
They singled out some of the candidates, shouting claims that “he is not from here,” and blocked certain prospective recruits from participating in the drills.The tension escalated as residents accused the police recruitment team of turning a blind eye while non-locals used cash to influence officials.
A well-known lawyer added fuel to the fire, claiming these outsiders were paying bribes to secure places in the exercise — allegations that have struck at the heart of the recruitment’s integrity.Onlookers captured videos showing tense standoffs between the locals and uniformed officers tasked with maintaining order.
Chants of “It can’t go on!” filled the air, reflecting the depth of community mistrust.This disruption comes amid wider concerns about how fair the nationwide recruitment drive is.
Despite promises from leadership that the process would be “free and fair,” the Tiaty incident is the latest in a string of accusations — including political interference and a lack of transparent mechanisms — that have plagued the recruitment.
Adding urgency is a recent ethics watchdog report warning that bribery and favoritism have long compromised police recruitment. Those findings appear to be playing out in real time in Tiaty.For many in this community, the issue goes beyond jobs — it is about opportunity, justice, and whether their youth will be given fair access to national service.
Now, local leaders are demanding the National Police Service intervene and ensure the recruitment remains open only to qualified, legitimate local applicants.
The standoff has left recruiting officers under pressure and raises critical questions: How will the National Police Service respond? Can it guarantee a transparent recruitment process? And will it rebuild trust with marginalized communities like Tiaty?
