Drama unfolded during a police recruitment exercise in Tiaty sub-county when angry locals stormed the site, accusing officials of allowing non-locals to participate. Residents confronted armed officers and attempted to halt drills targeting those they deemed outsiders. The incident highlights ongoing concerns over irregularities in the national recruitment process.
On November 17, 2025, a police recruitment drive in Tiaty sub-county, Baringo County, turned chaotic as irate residents infiltrated the proceedings armed with branches. They alleged malpractice, specifically that officials were permitting 'aliens'—non-locals—to join the exercise, depriving local youth of opportunities.
Videos captured by Kenyans.co.ke show locals confronting several armed police officers on site, demanding an immediate halt to the recruitment. Chants such as 'It can't go on' and 'Look, he is not from here' echoed as residents singled out prospective recruits they claimed were not from the area, trying to stop them from participating in drills.
A renowned lawyer highlighted the issue on social media, stating: 'The police recruitment exercise currently underway in Tangulbei, Chemolingot, and Kolowa Sub County headquarters has once again been compromised by reports of non-locals arriving with cash to influence officials overseeing the process.' The lawyer urged the National Police Service to intervene, adding: 'We call upon the National Police Service to urgently intervene and safeguard the integrity of this national exercise, enforce its recruitment policy without favour, and ensure that the youth from our communities benefit from the slots allocated to them.'
The recruitment, approved by the court and first announced on October 31, was set as a one-day event from 8am to 5pm across 427 centres nationwide, as declared by Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja. Despite assurances from Kanja and Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen of a free and fair process, reports of irregularities and bias persist.
This comes amid a recent Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) report from a study conducted between February 10 and June 13, which exposed deep flaws including bribery, political interference, and outdated manual procedures in police recruitment. The EACC noted that practices like skewed advertisements, inconsistent selection criteria, and lack of complaint mechanisms undermine the process and hinder attracting qualified officers.