The National Gender and Equality Commission has demanded comprehensive reforms to police recruitment and training protocols in response to the controversy surrounding the dismissal of more than 18 pregnant police trainees from Kiganjo Training College.
In a statement issued on May 10, NGEC indicated that the recent incident revealed critical deficiencies in the police recruitment system, especially regarding the handling of conditions like pregnancy in training and recruitment processes.
NGEC noted that there lacks adequate clarity and consistency regarding recruitment eligibility, deferment procedures, and the management of pregnancy in security sector training establishments.
The commission contended that the fundamental question concerned whether the State maintains a lawful, humane, and non-discriminatory approach to addressing such circumstances in compliance with Article 27 of the Constitution, which ensures equality and prohibits discrimination.
The commission stated, “The recent controversy over the dismissal of pregnant trainees highlights a significant policy deficiency within Kenya’s police recruitment and training structure.”
The commission cautioned that ambiguous recruitment standards and irregular enforcement of regulations might foster perceptions of discrimination, arbitrary judgments, and potential breaches of constitutional rights.
NGEC now seeks to align these policies with constitutional guarantees of equality, human dignity, and fair administrative conduct.
Proposed reforms include establishing a comprehensive policy framework for addressing pregnancy and other physical conditions during recruitment and training. This would involve pre-recruitment disclosure requirements, medical evaluation standards, deferment and readmission procedures, and protections for maternal health.
NGEC emphasized that the review must necessarily incorporate multi-sector consultations and public participation, including engagement with oversight bodies, gender specialists, security officials, medical practitioners, and human rights advocates in revising the policy guidelines for recruitment into disciplined services.”
The commission also urged greater transparency in police recruitment procedures due to recurring instances of fraudulent documentation, criminal records, and deficiencies in post-recruitment screening.
The commission’s remarks follow the controversy surrounding the dismissal of 18 female police trainees who were removed from training after pregnancy tests, an action that sparked public outrage and condemnation from human rights advocates.
In a separate statement on May 9, authorities clarified that the dismissals extended beyond the pregnant trainees.
The National Police Service (NPS) confirmed that the dismissals also included 18 recruits accused of submitting fake academic certificates, 10 with prior criminal convictions, two who reportedly used counterfeit national identification documents, and two with serious health conditions.