The second Kenya Defence Forces nationwide recruitment drive began on Monday with a warning against bribes and other 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 public not to seek, offer or receive bribes.
He said 21 military officials are facing court martial for being involved in malpractices linked to past recruitment.
“We will be strict in this exercise to ensure it is clean. If you give or receive a bribe, it is on you alone,” Lt Gen Ogolla said.
He said they intend to take on 18 to 20 per cent of women of 4,000 recruits.
“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 in January this year, we had 17 per cent women recruited.
"We intend to increase it to 18 to 20 per cent.”
This is the second recruitment this year. Last year’s was halted by the Covid-19 pandemic, hence, authorities are rushing to fill the gap. The cohort that was recruited in February 2021 graduated on November 5, 2021.
The exercise run for the next two weeks until the end of the month.
It was launched at Defence Headquarters, Hurlingham, Nairobi by Ogolla.
KDF announced it will be recruiting General Service Officers (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 older than 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 — not Nyayo Stadium as earlier indicated— Jamhuri Grounds in Lang’ata, as well as Kasarani’s Moi International Sports Centre.
Interested candidates for Specialist Officers and Tradesmen/women had until Sunday, November 14, to submit applications online.
Shortlisted candidates will be notified through the print media between November 21 and 27.
(Edited by V. Graham)
