Youth dies in army recruitment exercise

A soldier inspects youth in a drill during Kenya Defence Force recruitment exercise on September 30, 2013. A man died during a similar exercise in Central Pokot. PHOTO/ JOSEPH KANYI 

In Summary

• It is alleged that the young youth was medically unfit for the exercise
• He fainted immediately after completing a six kilometer race
• The body of the deceased is lying at Kapenguria district mortuary

By MERCY TUMKOU
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A 21-year-old man died on Thursday at Sigor in Central Pokot district during a military recruitment exercise.

According to eye witnesses, the man fainted immediately after completing a six kilometer race and was rushed Sigor Sub hospital where he was pronounced dead.

But the Kenya Defence Forces recruitment officer, Lt. Col P.S.K. Sulubu, dismissed the report saying the youth was not among those who had turned out for the exercise.

“The young man is said to have joined the other youth who were in the race along the way and followed them back to the recruiting ground,” he said.

The body of the deceased is lying at Kapenguria district mortuary.

Meanwhile over 500 youths turned out for the recruitment exercise at Makutano stadium of Pokot West district that hit the fourth day Thursday countrywide.

Lt. Col. Sulubu noted the turnout was the highest the force has recorded in the district since they began the exercise.

More men turned out for the recruitment, as compared to women. Only one woman qualified.

“The girl who turned out to be in the first position of three kilometers race did not qualify medically because she turned out to be pregnant, making the second girl qualify automatically,” said Sulubu.