Police probing Karen Nyamu’s claim of helping supporter forge KCSE certificate for recruitment

The National Police Service (NPS) says it is examining a video in which Nominated Senator Karen Nyamu recounts helping a political supporter forge a Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) certificate to secure recruitment into the police service.

In a statement issued on Saturday, October 24, the NPS described the remarks as “regrettable and unacceptable,” noting that they were made by a lawmaker and legal counsel.

The service said the case involving the recruit was among several incidents flagged at a police training college, leading to the expulsion of the recruits found to have presented fraudulent academic documents.

“The National Police Service has come across a video in which a senior nominated politician states that she was aware of a supporter who used a fake certificate in an attempt to join the National Police Service as a recruit constable,” read the statement by NPS Spoksperson Muchiri Nyaga.

The NPS said it was examining the video, which has drawn attention to the integrity of the police recruitment process.

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.

The legislator 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.

“I can even tell you of a recent case where I tried to help someone get into the police force, a very staunch campaigner of mine; they are even known. They were, I think, 28, 29 years na hawana Form Four cert. Tukakarabati (we forged) a Form Four certificate, because I had this chance and I really had to give back,” Nyamu said.

She recounted that the supporter proceeded to Kiganjo Police Training College but was later arrested after investigations uncovered the fraudulent academic documents.

Nyamu said about 18 recruits were removed from the training programme after the discovery of fake certificates.

The NPS said the incident was among several cases identified at the training college, resulting in the expulsion of the recruits concerned.

The service maintained that it applies strict verification procedures during recruitment, warning that attempts to secure employment using forged documents would not succeed.

“Members of the public are advised that the NPS treats the matter of recruitment with the utmost seriousness and deploys strict verification protocols. Any dishonest attempts, including the use of fake documents, cannot succeed,” Nyaga added.

The police service further said it would continue to discharge its employment responsibilities within the law while ensuring that recruitment remains thorough, accountable and transparent.

It 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.