The National Gender and Equality Commission (NGEC) has called for a complete overhaul of police recruitment and training policies following the controversial dismissal of pregnant recruits from Kiganjo Police Training College.
In a statement issued on May 10, NGEC said the incident exposed major gaps in the police recruitment system, especially on how pregnancy and other medical conditions are handled during training.
The controversy began after 18 female recruits were discontinued from training after testing positive for pregnancy during medical screening at the college. The move sparked widespread debate, with human rights groups and leaders questioning whether the decision was discriminatory.
According to NGEC, the current recruitment framework lacks clear and fair policies on deferment, re-admission, and protection of pregnant recruits. The commission argued that the issue goes beyond training rules and touches on constitutional rights, including equality and freedom from discrimination under Article 27 of the Constitution.
NGEC is now pushing for reforms that would allow pregnant recruits to defer training and return later instead of facing automatic dismissal. The commission also wants broader consultations involving medical experts, gender specialists, security agencies, and human rights groups to review recruitment policies.
The National Police Service has defended the dismissals, saying the physically demanding nature of police training poses health risks to pregnant recruits and unborn children. Police officials insisted the pregnancies happened before the women reported to college and that the decision was a medical and administrative measure, not punishment.
At the same time, several leaders, including Nandi Senator Samson Cherargei and Githunguri MP Gathoni Wamuchomba, have criticized the expulsions and called for a more humane approach, including maternity deferment instead of dismissal.
Overall, the saga has triggered a national debate on gender equality, reproductive rights, and how disciplined forces should balance operational demands with constitutional protections.