The National Police Service (NPS) has distanced itself from recent controversial remarks made by a senior commanding officer who suggested a significant reduction in the number of women recruited into the force.
In a press statement issued today, the NPS clarified that the comments were personal opinions and do not reflect the official government policy on gender inclusivity.
The controversy was sparked by Isaac Kimutus, the Officer Commanding Station (OCS) in Nyahururu, who, during a ‘Jukwaa La Usalama’ meeting, called on Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja to consider limiting female police intake to just 20%.
The OCS, a former instructor at Kiganjo, justified his proposal by claiming it is becoming increasingly difficult to deploy female officers to volatile areas, stating that some struggle to cope with the rigorous demands of police work.
In a video that has since gone viral on social media, OCS Kimutus cited the July 2025 protests, where he said he was forced to deploy only male officers, leaving the female ones at the station, a situation he claimed led to male officers being overwhelmed.
“Afadhali uwe na polisi wanaume wengi kuliko wasichana; saa zingine unapata station iko na wasichana kumi na wavulana watano, utafanya nini?” he questioned, sentiments which critics say expose a deeply entrenched misogyny within the force.
However, NPS spokesperson Muchiri Nyaga moved swiftly to quash the sentiments, clarifying that the officer’s remarks were his personal views and not those of the Service.
In a statement, Nyaga highlighted that both the Cabinet Secretary for Interior and National Administration and the Inspector General of Police, who were present at the forum, reaffirmed the government’s unwavering commitment to gender equality in the service.
The statement emphasized that women continue to play a vital and critical role in law enforcement, both locally and internationally.
Reaffirming the government’s commitment to the constitutional two-thirds gender rule, the NPS spokesperson also acknowledged the critical contributions made by both male and female officers toward the safety and security of all Kenyans, effectively shutting down the controversial proposal.
