Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja has assured young women of their right to equal opportunity in the National Police Service.
According to Kanja, the Service is gender-sensitive and has no plans whatsoever to reduce the number of female recruits in favour of their male counterparts.
"The national police service is gender sensitive. When we go for recruitment and I know we are doing it soon, we shall ensure both genders are included," he said.
"Each gender has its role to play in the service because even when you go to a police station, you will find a gender office...that is how important genders are to us."
Kanja, who was speaking during a Jukwaa la Usalama forum in Laikipia, urged women not to be worried, saying they value them equally as men.
He was responding to a Nyahururu Officer Commanding Station (OCS) who had proposed a reduction in the number of women recruited into the Service.
The officer identified as Isaac Kimutus had argued that when it comes to hostile situations, such as managing protests, they don't come in handy.
Kimutus claimed during the Gen Z protests on June 25 and July 7, 2025, that he was forced to instruct his female officers to take charge of the stations.
He claimed that female officers are unable to cope with such situations, even saying some vomit in their helmets.
“Kama ingewezekana kuandika wanawake iwe 20 percent. The rest waandikwe wanaume. Wakati kama wa June 25, na Saba Saba protests kwangu Nyahururu niliambia wanawake wote wakae station,” Kimutus said.
He added, "Right now, you find a station has 10 female officers and only five male counterparts, what will you do and work must be done?" he posed. "We have a big challenge."
A section of leaders present during the event led by Laikipia North MP Sarah Korere strongly rejected the idea, rallying behind women instead.
"Bwana OCS ukitumia hawa warembo vizuri watakung'arishia hiyo Nyahururu mpaka ushangae. There are some things men cannot do," she said.
"Mimi bodyguards wangu wawili ni wasichana, tunakuwanga three women army so msikuwe wasiwasi," she said.
Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen called out the officer, saying the constitution mandates at least 30 per cent gender representation in public service, and police recruitment must reflect that.
“You cannot say we cannot hire women. We have a constitutional responsibility to pick 30 per cent. We are only at 14 per cent and still struggling to get to 30 per cent,” Murkomen said.
