Police Spokesman Charles Owino Differs with Matiang'i, Says they Prefer Recruiting Officers with Low KCSE Grades

Police spokesperson Charles Owino has opposed Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiangi’s proposal to have the minimum academic qualification for police recruits raised from the current D+ in KCSE.

While making the recommendation, CS Matiang’i argued that the grade is too low for persons who are expected to handle complex criminal cases, adding that the current crop of police officers is finding it hard to match tech-savvy criminals.

"This is why I have been fighting that we look at the cutoff point of the people we are admitting. Surely if we are admitting you with a D plus and we are telling you to go to the complex science of analyzing blood and preparing documents that the DPP will use in court to prove murder, are we serious honestly? Are we serious?" Matiang'i posed.

He added: "That is why I am saying there are many things we can do. The time is here for us to face reality and to know that we are facing challenges that we must confront in a serious manner. We need to start new capacities in law enforcement so that when I give you a file you don't say we have no competencies." 

But speaking during an interview on Wednesday, police spokesman Owino said they prefer recruits with lower grades because those with higher grades often further their studies and start making demands.

“We have a challenge when we employ every policeman with Grade C+ and above. They go back to school, get degrees and come back and ask for promotions. It is important we get officers who have C plain, C – and D+,” said Owino.

“For every nine police officers, we may only have one corporal and one inspector. You cannot promote everyone to those levels. is not merely meted on the grade,” he added.