Women in Lamu who had turned up for the KDF recruitment exercise on Monday were turned away after it was announced that this year’s exercise was for men only.
The over 500 women had turned up at the Kibaki Grounds in Lamu, hoping to participate in the recruitment drive.
The women expressed their frustration, saying it was not fair for them to be locked out of the exercise just because of gender.
“They gave the same excuse last year. Does it mean the army has enough females or is it that people feel the army is only better off with men?” asked Joyce Mnyazi, as quoted by the Star
“This is my third and last year of trying to join the KDF without success. I’m 28 and I know it won’t be possible for me to try out in the next exercise. It’s so unfortunate and unfair,” she added.
However, senior recruitment officer Kyalo Munyao defended the decision saying the exercise did not discriminate against women.
“We are complying with regulations on filling available slots. For Lamu slots, there were no vacancies for women in the army this year, hence, the decision to send back all female hopefuls,” said Kyalo, as quoted by the daily.
Women in the county were also turned away last year.