The National Gender and Equality Commission (NGEC) has proposed a review of Kenya’s policies on the recruitment and training of policewomen.
This follows concerns over recruitment discontinuities at the National Police Service Training College in Kiganjo, where 18 women were discontinued after they were found pregnant, and other cases of forged academic documents, health concerns, and vetting issues.
According to the commission, the consequences of the recruitment criteria are not clearly outlined, and as a result, individuals are affected.
“The Commission is concerned that where recruitment criteria and consequences are not clearly defined, publicly communicated, consistently applied, and constitutionally tested, then affected individuals may perceive administrative decisions as arbitrary, punitive, or discriminatory,” read part of the statement.
Proposed Reforms in the Recruitment System
According to the commission, the government should review police recruitment and training policies to ensure full alignment with Article 27 and other constitutional provisions on equality, human dignity, and fair administrative action.
Also Read: Police Reveal Reasons Why 54 Recruits Were Sent Home from Kiganjo Training
This includes a multi-sector consultation, public participation involving oversight agencies, gender experts, security sector actors, medical professionals, and human rights stakeholders.
The commission has outlined new proposals for a clear policy framework on physiological aspects, including pregnancy during police recruitment and training, including:
- Pre-recruitment disclosure requirements
- Medical assessment standards
- Deferment and re-admission mechanisms where appropriate
- Protection against arbitrary exclusion
- Safeguards for maternal health and institutional operational requirements
NGEC also raised concern over repeated cases involving forged documents, criminal records, and post-recruitment vetting failures, noting that these point to weaknesses in initial screening and verification processes.
It further called for harmonization between constitutional requirements and operational realities in disciplined services, emphasizing that clear, lawful, and consistent policy frameworks must always guide administrative discretion.
Recruitment Discontinuations Raise Policy Concerns
NGEC noted the recent reports involving 54 recruits who were discontinued from training for various reasons, including forged academic certificates, criminal records, disciplinary issues, health complications, and pregnancy-related cases.
The Commission acknowledged clarification from the National Police Service (NPS) that the affected female recruits were found to have been pregnant before reporting to the training college, and not due to any misconduct during training.
According to NPS, police training is physically intensive and involves demanding drills, endurance exercises, weapons handling, and operational preparation, making certain medical conditions, including pregnancy, a safety concern during training.
NGEC, however, stressed that clear and consistent policy frameworks must govern such situations to avoid ambiguity and public misunderstanding.
The Commission also pointed to legal and institutional questions surrounding recruitment procedures, including court decisions challenging aspects of the National Police Service Commission’s recruitment mandate in 2025.
NGEC said these developments expose deeper systemic concerns relating to transparency, legality, fairness, and constitutional compliance in recruitment processes.
Also Read: Inside KDF Training: The Drills Recruits Do and Why It’s Necessary
Constitutional Standards and Emerging Policy Gaps
NGEC referenced its stand to Article 27 of the Constitution of Kenya, which guarantees equality before the law and prohibits discrimination on grounds such as sex, pregnancy, and health status.
The Commission emphasized that all state organs are constitutionally required to uphold human dignity, equity, and non-discrimination in their operations.
“Article 27 of the Constitution of Kenya, 2010, guarantees equality before the law and freedom from discrimination, including discrimination on the basis of sex, pregnancy, health status, and social status. The Constitution further obligates all State organs to uphold human dignity, equity, social justice, inclusiveness, equality, human rights, and non-discrimination,” read part of the statement.
