Association launched for women police officers

By Roselyne Obala

NAIROBI; KENYA: Women in the police force have established an association to promote their welfare.

The launch of the Kenya Police Service Women’s Association will help the women succeed in a male dominated field.

Women recruitment and ranking in the regular and Administration Police departments, remains a major concern.

Currently, for instance, the Kenya Police has 42,593 officers out of which only 4,724 are women, while Administration Police has about 579 female officers in the senior ranks excluding the constables.

While welcoming the latest development, senior security officers unanimously agreed that the trend should change and have over 30 per cent of the force being women.

“We will try to reclaim our voice through this association. As women we have remained invisible in this profession,” conceded Grace Kaindi who is in charge of Kenya Airports Police Unit.

Ms Kaindi said the formation of the association was a major milestone and a new chapter for the women once registered and entrenched in the police service.

 Touch base

Kaindi, the first female Provincial Officer, acknowledged that women have potential to be effective leaders if given a chance.

“Women need to touch base with the locals yet most positions for station commanders have always been a reserve for our male counterparts,” she said noting the lack of 30 per cent representation.

Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of police reforms Kingori Mwangi challenged the National Police Service Commission to factor in the concerns and how best they can be addressed.

“We must mainstream women issues to give them a good working environment,” he added.