A new cohort of Kenyan Defence Forces (KDF) recruits, comprising general duty recruits and tradesmen and tradeswomen, has reported for training.
Confirming the news on Monday, the defence forces relayed that Cohort 01/25 had arrived at the Defence Forces Recruit Training School (DFRTS) to begin their training.
The event was presided over by Brigadier Alphonce Ndar, who wished the new cohort a successful training period.
“I wish you nothing but success, stay healthy, take care of yourselves, and approach your training with discipline and commitment,” he said.
After reporting, the recruits will undergo document verification, medical screening, biometric registration, issuance of kit and an initial orientation.
This process will prepare them for the foundational military training that covers discipline, physical conditioning, field craft, leadership development and core soldiering skills.
Their arrival comes just weeks after the field recruitment process for general duty recruits ended on October 25, following its kickoff on October 13.
The recruitment began just a day after the online application deadline for other categories, such as General Service Officer (GSO) Cadets, Specialist Officers, and Tradesmen/women on October 12.
On October 24, a shortlist of over 3,000 candidates for the latter applications was published in local newspapers, pending physical interviews, which will be conducted on select dates.
Of those who have reported for training today are 1,310 tradesmen and tradeswomen candidates who had reported for their interviews at the Ulinzi Sports Complex in Langata, Nairobi, on Monday, November 3.
They are highly equipped service members recruited to perform technical, mechanical, and vocational duties that support KDF operations, including electricians, mechanics, technicians, drivers, carpenters, masons, welders, tailors, cooks, storekeepers, clerks, musicians, bandsmen, instrument technicians, ICT, and communication technicians.
861 shortlisted candidates for the GSO cadets (regular) will report to the Kenya Military Academy (KMA) in Lanet, Nakuru, on Monday, December 1, for interviews, while their GSO graduate counterparts, comprising 704 candidates, will have their interviews on November 24, at the same venue.
