Thousands turn up for KDF recruitment as exercise kicks off

More than 4,000 recruits are set to join the military as the Kenya Defense Force (KDF) kicked off a nationwide recruitment drive Monday, September 19.

In a statement to newsrooms, the Defense Ministry said that the month-long exercise is in search for general recruits, constabularies and tradesmen and women.

The drive, that will take place in 230 sub counties across the country, targets to recruit 2,000 servicemen in the first phase and close to 2,000 cadets in the second phase.

According to the Vice Chief of Defence Forces, Lieutenant General Joseph Kiptoo Kasaon, general recruits are required to have scored a mean grade of D plain and above in their KCSE.

The recruits are also required to be between 18 and 26 years of age while Constabularies have to be below 55 years of age and should be ex-KDF members with at least nine years’ color service.

The Kenya Defence Forces has also issued a stern warning against bribery or any other form of corruption during the exercise.

Kasaon stated that measures have been put in place to counter the myriad of flaws in previous recruitment drives that included claims of bribery, political interference, and unequal distribution of slots.

While welcoming scrutiny by various bodies including the National Intelligence Service (NIS), Transparency International, among others during the exercise, Kasaon indicated that all recruiting teams will be required to set camp far from the recruitment centres, in order to minimize interaction with the locals.

The Monday recruitment exercise is taking place in Aldai, Bunyala, Embu East, Kieni East, Kisumu East, Konoin, Lamu East, Limuru, Londiani, Lunga Lunga, Nyahururu, Pokot Central, Samburu North and Taveta.