A 'feel good' video shot by a group of General Service Unit (GSU) officers has landed them in hot soup.
This is after the entire squadron, comprising 23 officers including the ones who were captured in the clip, was banished to the notorious Magadi Field Training camp for another “re-training” as punishment for their indiscretions.
Other officials said the team is likely to be deployed to the general duties after their new “graduation” likely to happen in weeks.
Officials within the dreaded paramilitary unit said the entire squadron had been banished to the “field” for further training before being posted after the video clip went viral, drawing condemnation from Kenyans on Twitter.
They were all summoned for questioning at the GSU offices before being given the new instructions on Thursday.
The Magadi Field Training Camp is described as “hell on earth” and considered the ultimate test for endurance within the disciplined forces.
Many officers fear it.
There was no official comment from the GSU commandant Douglas Kanja over the developments.
All GSU trainees go through Magadi camp to test their endurance.
The group had completed their nine-month training and was expressing their “joy” through the video they shot and shared only to land in trouble.
Most GSU officers are deployed to specialized units before they are sent to either general duties or the Directorate of Criminal Investigations.
The video is said to have been recorded shortly after President Uhuru Kenyatta presided over the 48th passing-out parade at their Embakasi training college on December 10.
“Attention of the NPS is drawn to a video clip circulating on social media depicting newly graduated GSU officers recording themselves as they make some irresponsible and reckless remarks,” the police headquarters said.
The officers appear to be threatening members of the public.
They, however, say they are proud to be in the service.
“We are representing the red berets...We are coming out there,” they said.
Some members of the public saw it as a threat and it was wrong for the officers to make such remarks, especially at a time when the service was accused of extra-judicial killings, enforced disappearances and brutality.
The Police headquarters assured the public the behaviour portrayed in the clip was not acceptable and does not reflect the values of the GSU and the entire service.
A statement said all graduands went through a rigorous value-based training modeled on democratic policing principles and designed to make them responsive and responsible officers of the law at the service of citizens.
“The oath of allegiance they took as part of their graduation is a testament to the sanctity of their duty to service. The remarks as made in the clip are therefore regrettable and stand condemned,” NPS said.
“An internal review is ongoing with a view of preferring appropriate measures regarding the incident. GSU is renowned for its focused training aimed at producing highly disciplined and responsible officers.”
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