Failure To Control Stubborn Animals: 18 Female Police Trainees Kicked Out Of Training College After Getting Pregnant

Kenya’s National Police Service (NPS) has defended its decision to discontinue 18 pregnant female recruits from the National Police College in Kiganjo following growing criticism and heated debate online.

In a statement released on Friday, May 9, police dismissed claims circulating on social media suggesting that some of the recruits became pregnant while undergoing training at the college.

“We wish to state categorically, and for the record, that no female recruit conceived while at the National Police College,” part of the statement issued by police spokesperson Muchiri Nyaga read.

The service insisted that strict discipline and supervision are maintained throughout the training programme. According to the NPS, male and female recruits only interact during official training sessions under the watch of instructors.

“There is no unsupervised mingling or private interaction between recruits. Any suggestion of a lapse in this regard is not only false but also an insult to the integrity of our training protocols,” the statement added.

Police explained that the affected recruits were discontinued within their first month at the institution after mandatory medical tests confirmed they were pregnant.

According to the service, all female recruits are required to undergo pregnancy screening immediately after reporting to the college. Any recruit who tests positive is then subjected to a second confirmatory test at a government health facility in Nyeri before any final decision is made.

The NPS said the move is in line with the National Police Service Standing Orders and existing training regulations.

Authorities further argued that police training involves intense physical activities such as drills, obstacle courses, and firearms exercises, which could pose health risks to both pregnant recruits and unborn babies.

The statement followed earlier remarks by the Commandant of the National Police College, Main Campus Kiganjo, who revealed that 54 recruits had been discontinued from the ongoing Basic Recruit Training Course involving more than 5,000 trainees.

Among those affected were 18 recruits found pregnant, 18 accused of presenting forged academic documents, 10 with previous criminal convictions, two allegedly using fake national identity cards, and two with terminal illnesses.

The decision has since sparked political debate in Kenya, with several leaders questioning why the pregnant recruits were dismissed instead of having their training deferred.

Suba North MP Millie Odhiambo criticized the move and suggested the matter could end up before Parliament or the courts.

At the same time, Gathoni Wamuchomba also condemned the decision, arguing that pregnancy alone should not automatically lead to removal from police training.