A rare form of disability and body malformation has turned out to be a stumbling block for a police recruit who has been trying his luck to join the disciplined force for five years now.
Having been turned down four times consecutively, Allan Khaemba from Bungoma, hoped to be enlisted to joined the National Police Service (NPS) in the ongoing police recruitment exercise.
Having all the necessary qualifications and carrying the required documentation, Khaemba set out to try his luck on Thursday, March 24.
However, his dream of landing a lifetime opportunity was shattered after he was turned away for having an extra finger and a toe.
The 25-year-old, who was born with an extra finger and an extra toe, accuses the government of capitalising on that malformation to deny him an opportunity to join the police service, which is his dream job.
"I really don't understand what is the problem because I know my extra finger cannot prevent me from executing my duties as expected. I really want the government to help and consider me for this job," Khaemba pleaded.
That condition is known as Polydactyly and tends to run in families lines. It may also result from genetic mutations or environmental causes.
The most common treatment is surgery to remove the extra digit.
In another instance, a man was turned away for the third successive time for being too short, while in Nyeri, youths failed to turn up for the recruitment exercise. Only 39 presented themselves for the exercise, with 8 getting picked.
The police service and Kenya Defense Forces have always held high standards in the recruitment processes. Among the qualifications to join the police service include possessing a minimum mean grade of D+ (D Plus) and above in the Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE), aged between 18 and 28 years, be physically and medically fit among others.
The disciplined service noted that it will stick with D+ candidates as most university students run away after only two months.
