The Senate has raised alarm regarding the mass recruitment at the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF), after allegations emerged that slots are being sold to the highest bidders.
Kakamega Senator Boni Khalwale blew the whistle on the matter on Wednesday, October 1, claiming some members of his county were compelled to cough up to Ksh400,000 for a chance to join the force.
Khalwale, while speaking during a Senate sitting, recounted how an elderly man approached him seeking help to secure his child's entry into the military.
According to Khalwale, the man owned a bull worth Ksh250,000, and wanted the Senator to top up the additional Ksh150,000 to match the price allegedly being asked for a slot in the KDF.
“There is an old man in Kakamega who owns a bull worth Ksh250,000. He came to me and told me he had been offered a chance to buy a slot in the military for Ksh400,000,” Khalwale told the Senate.
"So we want the Minister to clarify whether chances to join the military are on sale or on merit. And if it is on Merit, we want to know the merit."
Khalwale was one of several Senators who expressed concern over the recruitment process amid the absence of Defence Cabinet Secretary Soipan Tuya, who was expected to make an appearance to clarify the goings-on in the recruitment process.
Led by Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna, the Senate condemned CS Tuya's absence, accusing her of deliberately snubbing their concerns.
Tuya, who has already skipped three scheduled appearances before the Senate, is set to be summoned once again in Busia County after the Senate made resolutions on Wednesday.
As far as the recruitment is concerned, KDF has insisted that the process was transparent, fair and free of charge.
Among the slots that are up for grabs are General Service Officer (GSO) Cadets (Regular and Graduate), Specialist Officers, General Duty Recruits, Tradesmen/Women, and Defence Forces Constables.
The minimum academic requirements include a mean grade of B (Plain) in KCSE with C+ in English, Mathematics, and one science subject for GSO Cadets (Regular).
Specialist Officers are required to have professional qualifications and relevant work experience, while Graduate cadets must hold a bachelor's degree from a recognised university in special fields.
