KDF recruitment starts amid tough warning against corruption

The second Kenya Defence Forces nationwide recruitment drive kicked off on Monday with a warning against malpractices to influence the outcome.

Vice Chief of the Defence Forces Lt Gen Francis Ogolla said the exercise is free of charge and told both serving military officials and the public not to bribe or receive the same for it.

He said 21 military officials are facing court marshal sessions for being involved in malpractices linked to past recruitment.

“We will be strict in this exercise to ensure it is clean. If you give and receive a bribe it is on you alone,” Lt Gen Ogolla said.

He said they intend to recruit 18 to 20 per cent of women of the about 4,000 recruits to be recruited.

“We are aware of the gender of policy. We have been progressive since 2019 we recruited 11 per cent, increased to 15 per cent in 2020 and the one which took place in January this year we had 17 per cent of women recruited. We intend to increase it to 18 to 20 per cent,” he said.

This is the second recruitment to take place this year. Last year was affected by the Covid-19 pandemic and hence authorities are rushing to fill the gap created.

The cohort that was recruited in February 2021 graduated on November 5, 2021.

The exercise that will run for the next two weeks was launched at the Defence Headquarters, Hurlingham Nairobi by Lt Gen Ogolla.

KDF announced it will be recruiting General Service Officer (GSO) Cadets (Regular), General Service Officer (GSO) Cadets (Graduate degree holders), Specialist Officers, General Duty Recruits, Tradesmen/women and Defence Forces Constables.

Prospective candidates must be Kenyan citizens with no dual citizenship, no criminal record, and must possess a valid national identity card.

Additionally, four copies of the National Identity Card and Personal Identification Number (PIN) Certificate will be required.

The age brackets must be between 18 and 26 years for GSO Cadets and General Duty Recruits, Specialist Officers and Tradesmen/women with Certificate/Government Trade Test should not above 30 years of age while Chaplains/Imams and Medical Consultants must be below 39 years.

In Nairobi, the exercise will take place in three centres including City Stadium and not Nyayo stadium as earlier indicated, Jamhuri Grounds in Lang’ata, as well as Kasarani’s Moi International Sports Center.

Interested candidates for Specialist Officers and Tradesmen/women had up to Sunday 14 November to submit their applications online.

Shortlisted candidates will be notified through the print media between 21st to 27th November 2021.