NAIROBI, Kenya — The National Police Service (NPS) is examining a video in which nominated Senator Karen Nyamu allegedly acknowledged helping a political supporter forge an academic certificate to secure recruitment into the police service.
NPS spokesperson Muchiri Nyaga said on Saturday, October 24, that the service had come across the video in which the lawmaker described being aware of a supporter who used a fake certificate in an attempt to join the police as a recruit constable.
“The National Police Service (NPS) 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,” the service said.
The development follows remarks Nyamu made during an interview with Radio Generation on Friday, October 23, in which she recounted how she attempted to help a loyal campaign supporter join the police despite lacking the required Form Four qualification.
The senator said the recruit proceeded to the National Police College in Kiganjo, Nyeri County, but was later arrested alongside other trainees after investigations uncovered suspected academic document forgery.
What Karen Nyamu said
During the radio interview, Nyamu explained that she had wanted to help members of her campaign team access employment opportunities after discovering that some lacked the secondary school qualifications required for advertised jobs.
She said she subsequently attempted to help one of her staunch supporters secure a place in the police service by using a forged Form Four certificate.
“I recently tried to help a very staunch campaigner of mine join the police force. We forged a Form 4 certificate. She went to Kiganjo for training; we were so happy, but after investigations, she was arrested for forgery alongside 17 others,” Nyamu said.
According to the senator, the recruit was among approximately 18 trainees who were removed after their academic documents were found to be fraudulent.
Nyamu recounted that she had not anticipated that the documents would be subjected to further investigations after the recruit had proceeded to training.
Her account has drawn attention to the integrity of police recruitment and the potential consequences of using political connections to circumvent mandatory qualifications.
Police condemn remarks
Reacting to the video, the National Police Service described the remarks as regrettable and unacceptable, particularly given Nyamu’s position as a legislator and legal practitioner.
“The sentiments expressed in the video are both regrettable and unacceptable, particularly as they come from a lawmaker and legal counsel,” the service said.
The NPS confirmed that suspected cases involving forged academic documents had been detected at the police training college, resulting in the removal of the recruits involved.
The service said recruitment procedures include verification measures intended to identify falsified documents and prevent applicants who do not meet the required standards from joining the force.
It also warned prospective recruits against attempting to secure positions through fraudulent academic qualifications.
The police statement did not, in the information available, establish whether a formal criminal investigation had been opened against Nyamu personally or whether she had been summoned to record a statement.
Questions over accountability
The matter raises questions about the responsibility of public officials when helping supporters seek employment, particularly in security agencies where recruitment standards are intended to ensure integrity and professionalism.
While Nyamu presented the incident as an attempt to help a loyal campaigner access an employment opportunity, the use of a forged academic certificate would undermine the recruitment requirements if established by investigators.
The case also highlights the importance of applying recruitment rules consistently, regardless of an applicant’s political connections or the influence of people assisting them.
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The National Police Service has not publicly confirmed, in the statement cited, whether it has formally summoned the senator or referred the matter for further investigation.
Nyamu’s account was made publicly during the Radio Generation interview, and any further action by authorities will depend on the findings of their examination and any subsequent investigation.
The senator had not publicly responded to the NPS statement in the reports reviewed for this article.
The matter remains under scrutiny as police assess the video and the circumstances surrounding the alleged use of forged academic documents in police recruitment.
