Remember the viral GSU recruits? Here is what they are up to

Piece by: CYRUS OMBATI

02 March 2022

• After they graduated, a video clip surfaced online showing them talking about how they would deal with criminals, prompting disciplinary action.

A group of 23 General Service Unit (GSU) officers who were caught on camera making what was deemed irresponsible and reckless remarks after their graduation have now finished another fresher course at the Magadi camp in Kajiado County.

They were sent for a three-month retraining course following a decision by their seniors that they needed it for discipline.

They have since gone for a two weeks leave before being deployed.

This is normal for all recruits once they graduate.

The officers were among 2,502 constables who graduated into GSU officers at the National Police Training College in Embakasi B Campus on December 10, 2021.

After they graduated, a video clip surfaced online showing them talking about how they would deal with criminals, prompting disciplinary action.

“Hawa ni wale wazii…squad 26…papapa (We are coming out there…we are the bad ones…Squad 26…papapap,” the junior officers said in the clip.

Their actions raised an uproar among some Kenyans who seem to have suffered at the hands of brutal police officers, especially in the past years.

Police then condemned the act and accused the officers of making reckless remarks.

Spokesman Bruno Shioso said the behavior portrayed in the clip is not acceptable and does not reflect the values of the GSU and the Kenya Police Service.

In a statement, he 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. 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."