President Kenyatta lauds high number of women joining KDF

President Uhuru Kenyatta has praised the high number of female recruits joining the Kenya Defense Forces (KDF), terming it a mark of inclusion.

Speaking on Thursday at Recruits Training School, Eldoret during the graduation ceremony of new recruits, the President said the numbers reflect their patriotism to the country.

“A mark of inclusion also, is the number of female soldiers among our graduands today, to them too I say, congratulations, it is a mark of your excellence and patriotism, it’s a special pleasure to welcome you into service,” President Kenyatta said.

Mr. Kenyatta welcomed the new recruits and urged them to maintain high level of discipline and integrity displayed during their 7-months training.

“I urge you to always conduct yourselves diligently, with discipline, integrity and with professionalism as well as the loyalty prescribed in your oath of allegiance to your country, government, superiors and to your peers,” he said.

The Head of State further asked them to maintain excellence and diligence in the service that awaits them, citing the fight against terrorism that the Kenyan forces are fighting both home and away in Somalia.

“Ladies and gentlemen the men and women before us join the service at a critical time in our history, they’ll need to adjust, to modernise and diversify training to master our country’s security environment can not be stressed enough, for our soldiers must always have the skills to anticipate or meet every emerging security threats,” he said

“We have already anticipated the forces of terrorism, radicalisation and violent extremism and indeed we have met them in the field, it remains only to defeat them and secure Kenya and our boarders.”

The President thanked parents present for allowing their sons and daughters join the defense forces saying, its not an easy thing.

“Its no small thing to let your child enter into service, am glad you did, ” he said.