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Drug abuse locks out youth in Lamu KDF recruitment

According to Lt. Col. Nangole, the recruitment exercise aimed to identify disciplined, qualified, and physically fit candidates to serve in the military.

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by JOY IRUNGU

News22 October 2025 - 08:52
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In Summary


  • The nationwide exercise, which ended in Mpeketoni, Lamu Central, and Faza, saw hundreds of young men and women turn up in hopes of joining the military.
  • The recruitment was supervised by Senior Recruiting Officer Lieutenant Colonel Eliud Nangole and other KDF officials.
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Dozens of youth in Lamu County were turned away during the just-concluded Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) recruitment drive after failing medical tests linked to drug and substance abuse, officials have said.

The nationwide exercise, which ended in Mpeketoni, Lamu Central, and Faza, saw hundreds of young men and women turn up in hopes of joining the military.

The recruitment was supervised by Senior Recruiting Officer Lieutenant Colonel Eliud Nangole and other KDF officials.

According to Lt. Col. Nangole, the exercise aimed to identify disciplined, qualified, and physically fit candidates to serve in the military, emphasizing fairness and transparency throughout the process.

“The turnout reflected the growing enthusiasm of young Kenyans eager to serve their country,” Lt. Col. Nangole said, commending the discipline displayed by most candidates.

However, KDF medical teams disqualified several applicants after medical screenings revealed widespread drug use among the youth, particularly in coastal areas like Lamu where drug addiction remains a persistent challenge.

Lieutenant Colonel Wasike, a senior KDF medical officer, said substance abuse continues to undermine the potential of otherwise capable young people.

“Drug abuse continues to disqualify many promising candidates from opportunities for national service,” Lt. Col. Wasike said.

“It’s a concern we encounter every year, especially in coastal regions.”

He urged parents, teachers, and community leaders to step up efforts to address the problem through awareness campaigns, mentorship, and rehabilitation programs.

“These interventions must come from within the community. We must work together to guide the youth toward healthier and more productive lives,” he added.

Local leaders and elders who attended the recruitment praised KDF for its professionalism and transparency, saying such exercises not only provide employment opportunities but also strengthen ties between the military and local communities.

The recruitment in Lamu reaffirmed KDF’s commitment to integrity and merit-based selection, ensuring that only medically fit, disciplined, and patriotic Kenyans are enlisted.

“We continue to uphold the highest standards to ensure that those who join our ranks are ready—physically, mentally, and morally—to serve the country,” Lt. Col. Nangole said.

Drug and substance abuse remains a growing concern in the Coast region, with government reports indicating that narcotics such as heroin, bhang, and prescription drug misuse have derailed many youths’ chances at education and employment.

The KDF officials emphasized that the fight against drugs must be a shared national effort, warning that continued substance abuse could rob the country of a generation capable of contributing meaningfully to Kenya’s security and development.

As the recruitment exercise concluded, authorities called for renewed collaboration between security agencies, schools, and community organizations to rescue affected youth and prepare them for future opportunities in national service.


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