Protests as police force bearded female tout to undress

A female tout operating on the Kayole route in Nairobi has threatened to sue two police officers from Huruma after they allegedly forced her to undress to confirm her gender as she has a beard.

Teresiah Mumbi, 31, said she was stripped on May 15 after being arrested for a traffic offence.

Speaking on Friday at KTN Television, the woman said two unidentified female officers demanded to confirm whether she was a man or woman.

“Those two female officers came and demanded that I undress and I put my legs apart. After they were satisfied they let me back to the cell,” Mumbi said.

Mumbi said she stopped shaving her beard because the beard became very itchy every time she did.

“I even stopped working. I do not want another incident like that,” she said.

“Is this justice? if these are the officers mandated to provide security, what will happen to me in public?” Mumbi asked.

Huruma OCPD Alice Kimeli is yet to confirm the claims by Mumbi as she said she was in a meeting when she was contacted by the Star newspaper.

Mumbi’s story angered Kenyans online with a majority calling for action against the perpetrators.  Homa Bay Women Rep Gladys Wanga also weighed in on the matter saying that stern action should be taken against the officers involved in Ms Mumbi’s unwarranted humiliation.

”What happened to Mumbi is unacceptable. It is beyond imagination. It cannot be allowed to happen to anybody. It is inhuman. It is a violation of her rights. It is discrimination of the highest order. It is really malpractice on the part of the police. It cannot be allowed to pass,”  Wanga said.

The abnormal, excessive growth of thick hair in areas not commonly associated with women is as a result of hirsutism, which is the result of  polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), a hormonal disorder that impacts about five million women worldwide.

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The growth of thick female facial and body hair occurs due to the increased production of androgens by the ovaries. Multiple cysts are usually detected on the ovaries, either one sided or on both sides and other symptoms may include obesity,  irregular menstrual cycle, menstrual and lower abdominal pain, impaired glucose tolerance, premenstrual syndrome (PMS) and infertility.

Credit: Online sources