NAIROBI, Kenya, July 20 – The National Assembly has demanded an explanation from the National Police Service (NPS) over the dismissal of 18 female recruits from Kiganjo Police Training College after they were found to be pregnant.

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Lawmakers have questioned the legality of the decision and are calling for reforms to protect the rights of affected women.

Makueni Woman Representative Suzanne Kiamba sought a statement from the Departmental Committee on Administration and Internal Security, saying the dismissal had raised concerns about compliance with the Constitution, labour laws, and the principles of fair administrative action.

Kiamba told the House that while the NPS confirmed in May that the recruits had been discontinued from the basic recruit training course because they were pregnant, it remained unclear whether the pregnancies occurred before the women reported for training or during the course.

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She also questioned the legal and policy basis upon which the recruits were dismissed.

“Article 27 of the Constitution entitles women and men to equal treatment, including equal opportunities. The dismissal of female recruits solely based on pregnancy has therefore raised legitimate public concern regarding compliance with the Constitution, existing labour laws and the principles of fair administrative action,” she said.

The legislator asked the committee to explain the legal framework governing the discontinuation of pregnant recruits, the procedures followed before the decision was made, the officers responsible for approving the dismissals, and whether the affected women were accorded a fair administrative process.

She also sought clarification on measures to allow female recruits found to be pregnant after recruitment to resume training after childbirth and what reforms are being undertaken to ensure police recruitment and disciplinary processes comply with constitutional guarantees of equality and non-discrimination.

Narok West MP  Gabriel Tongoyo, who chairs the Departmental Committee on Administration and Internal Security, said he would table a comprehensive response but cautioned Members against concluding the facts were established.

He noted that police training is physically demanding and recruits are expected not to be pregnant at the time of recruitment.

📰 Source: Capital FM Kenya