The Senate National Security and Foreign Relations committee has asked Inspector General Joseph Boinnet to scrap off irrelevant requirements in recruiting police officers.
According to the senators, conditions in relation to height, missing or discolored teeth and body scars during police recruitment exercises are ridiculous and outdated.
The plea was made to Boinnet when he appeared before the committee on Wednesday to answer concerns in regards to police recruitment.
"How does height help one to work as a police officer? There are regions in this country whose people we know have discoloured teeth and are naturally short," nominated senator Martha Wangari said.
In past recruitment exercises, candidates have been turned away for having incomplete sets of teeth and scars.
Senator Wangari pointed out that many youth with potential of making good police officers had been locked out of the service due to requirements that were beyond their control.
However, responding to the committee's queries, IG Boinnet maintained that the requirements will still stand because there are scientific facts requiring potential recruits to have the set conditions.
"The height requirement is a standard across the globe. It is to enable officers handle weapons and control crowds among other things. There are scientific reasons behind that. It will remain a consideration to enable officers discharge their duties," Boinnet is quoted by Standard.
Boinnet was accompanied with National Police Service Chairman Johnstone Kavuludi.