Recruitment into the Kenyan police and military has long been marred by public perception of deeply rooted corruption, with many Kenyans believing that selection is dependent on 'godfathers' or bribery. This pervasive issue has historically led to arrests of individuals selling fraudulent admission letters around recruitment periods.

Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja has openly acknowledged this vice, stating in a recent TV interview that corruption has been profoundly embedded in police recruitment processes. To combat this, a new proposal aims to shift the application process online. Kanja affirmed his commitment to ensuring that only qualified individuals are recruited, issuing a stern warning that anyone found subverting this principle would face severe consequences, including dismissal and imprisonment.

In a significant step towards enhancing transparency, the Police Inspector General revealed that the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) has been invited to review the police service's systems, policies, and operations to pinpoint how such malpractices occur. An EACC report, commissioned in April, has already identified areas presenting challenges, providing the service with crucial insights on how to effectively address and arrest the corruption.

These reformative efforts coincide with upcoming recruitment drives, including the planned enlistment of 10,000 police constables. Additionally, the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) has announced its own recruitment exercise for various roles, such as General Service Officer (GSO) Cadets, Specialist Officers, Tradesmen/women, and other specialized positions in fields like education, engineering, ICT, mass communication, legal, and supply chain management.

Despite the Inspector General's assurances, civic analyst Bilasio Wandera expressed skepticism regarding the transparency and fairness of the proposed online recruitment exercise. Wandera fears that the digital shift could disadvantage many eligible young people who lack the necessary resources, and furthermore, that it might inadvertently open new avenues for corruption rather than eradicate it.