The Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) has announced that it will conduct a nationwide recruitment exercise next month, targeting multiple categories of recruits.
In a notice released on Sunday, September 14, KDF stated that the exercise will cover the recruitment of the General Service Officers (GSO) cadets – regular and graduate, Specialist Officers, General Duty Recruits, Tradesmen and Women, and Defence Forces Constables.
According to the military, interested candidates should ensure that they visit the KDF recruitment website and make applications before October 12.
KDF has noted that after the application, shortlisted candidates will be notified through print media between October 21 and October 24.
According to KDF, it will deploy recruiting teams drawn from the Kenya Army, Kenya Air Force, and Kenya Navy to recruit General Duty Recruits and Defence Forces Constables at designated recruitment centers across the country.
The military has stressed the need for interested and qualified individuals to follow the necessary guidelines, noting that applications will strictly be received online.
"All interested candidates in the categories specified in Para 4 (General Service Officer Cadets (Regular and Graduates), Specialist Officers, and Tradesmen/women) must apply online to submit their application," KDF stated.
"The timeline for applications is 12th October 2025. Shortlisted candidates will be notified through the print media between 21st and 24th October 2025. NOTE: All applications will be received online," it added.
Qualifications
For one to qualify for the recruitment, he/she must be a Kenyan and have their original and copies of their National ID Card, KRA PIN, and academic certificates.
For GSO cadets and General Duty Recruits, the age should be between 18 and 26 years; for specialist officers and Tradesmen/women, the age should not be above 30 years, while for chaplains and Imams, one should not be above 39 years.
The minimum academic qualification for GSO cadets, regular, includes a minimum mean grade of B (plain) in KCSE with C+ in English, Maths, and one Science subject. The training period for this category will be three years.
For the GSO cadet or graduate, one must hold a degree from a recognised university and be aged up to 30 years. The training period for this category will be 15 months.
Specialist officers should hold a bachelor's degree from a recognised university or institution and be registered with the relevant bodies depending on their specialities.
Individuals interested in Tradesmen/Women positions in the military should have a Minimum KCSE mean grade of C (Plain) or a Diploma/Certificate in relevant trades, while for Defence Forces Constables, one must be a retired KDF service member below 52 years or retired NYS personnel between 35 and 45 years with a minimum KCSE grade of D (Plain).
Recruitment centres
The full list of the counties and centres can be accessed in the local diaries published on Monday, September 16.
On Monday, October 13, KDF will conduct the recruitment in more than 28 counties, including Nairobi County. For residents in Dagoretti North, South, Kibra, Lang'ata, and Westlands, the recruitment centre will be Jamhuri grounds, while those living in Embakasi North, Kasarani, Mathare, Roysambu, and Ruaraka will be required to go to Kasarani MSC.
For Embakasi Central, East, South, West, Kamukunji, Makadara, and Starehe, the recruitment drive will be conducted at Nyayo Stadium.
In Mombasa, the recruitment drive will be conducted in Changamwe, while in Nakuru, it will be conducted in Nakuru East, Nakuru recruitment centre.
On Tuesday, October 14, Kiambu County will conduct the recruitment drive in Kiambaa, Karuri recruitment centre, while in Nakuru, it will be conducted in Nakuru North and West, in Bahati and Kapkures centres, respectively.
On Wednesday, October 15, Kiambu County will conduct the drive in Ndeiya, Nderu centre, while Kakamega will conduct the drive in Kakamega centre.
On Thursday, October 16, Kiambu will conduct the drive in the Githunguri and Limuru centres, while Nakuru will conduct the drive in the Kuresoi South Keringet Centre.
