The National Police Service (NPS) of Kenya is investigating a video in which Nominated Senator Karen Nyamu disclosed that she helped a political supporter forge a Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) certificate to secure recruitment into the police service. In a statement, the NPS described Nyamu's remarks as "regrettable and unacceptable," noting that they were made by a lawmaker and legal counsel.
According to the NPS, the case involving the recruit was among several incidents flagged at a police training college, leading to the expulsion of recruits found to have presented fraudulent academic documents. The incident occurred at Kiganjo Police Training College, where about 18 recruits were removed from the training programme after the discovery of fake certificates.
Senator Nyamu made the disclosure during an interview with Radio Generation on Friday, October 23, recounting how she attempted to help a loyal campaign supporter join the police service despite lacking the required secondary school qualifications. Nyamu said she had wanted to reward members of her campaign team, many of whom came from informal settlements and could not apply for advertised jobs because they lacked Form Four certificates.
The NPS Spokesperson, Muchiri Nyaga, stated that the police service applies strict verification procedures during recruitment and warned that attempts to secure employment using forged documents would not succeed. Nyaga added that the service treats the matter of recruitment with the utmost seriousness and deploys strict verification protocols.
The police service further emphasized that it would continue to discharge its employment responsibilities within the law while ensuring that recruitment remains thorough, accountable, and transparent. The NPS cited Article 245(4)(c) of the Constitution of Kenya and a recent Court of Appeal decision in Civil Appeal Nos. E971 and E957 of 2025 as part of the legal framework underpinning its position.
The incident has drawn attention to the integrity of the police recruitment process in Kenya. The NPS said it is examining the video, which has sparked concerns about the vetting process for recruits.
The Senator's actions have been widely criticized, with many calling for accountability and action against those involved in the forgery. The NPS has assured the public that it will thoroughly investigate the matter and take necessary actions.
Key points
- The National Police Service of Kenya is investigating Senator Karen Nyamu's claim of helping a supporter forge a KCSE certificate.
- The incident occurred at Kiganjo Police Training College, where 18 recruits were expelled for presenting fake certificates.
- The NPS has strict verification procedures in place and warns against attempts to secure employment using forged documents.
