More than 500 women who turned up for the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) recruitment exercise in Lamu, were turned away after it was announced that only men would participate in the exercise.
The women who had flocked the Kibaki Grounds in the coastal town expressed disappointment stating that it was not the first time they had been turned away 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? “This is my third and last year of trying to join the KDF without success," one woman lamented.
Senior recruitment Officer Kyalo Munyao, however, defended the decision stating that the recruitment was not insensitive to gender.
“For Lamu slots, there were no vacancies for women in the army this year, hence, the decision to send back all female hopefuls.” Kyalo stated.
This is the second time Lamu women have been turned away from the exercise.
KDF is set to recruit 3,000 servicemen and women, constables and tradesmen in the exercise that will run up to June 14.
