EACC on Tuesday nabbed two individuals accused of conning a Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) hopeful during the nationwide recruitment exercise.
The Commission, in a statement on Wednesday, indicated that the complainant lost Ksh250,000 under false promises that the two would facilitate his seamless entry into the force.
The duo was apprehended at Magarini in Kilifi County and escorted to EACC Malindi Regional Offices where they were processed.
According to EACC, the complainant filed a petition noting that he had taken a loan to cover the aforementioned induction fees as advised by the conmen but never secured his slot.
"EACC arrested two civilians who had solicited and received Ksh250,000 from the complainant as an inducement to facilitate his recruitment and admission to the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) during the ongoing recruitment," read the statement in part.
"The complainant reportedly took a bank loan of Ksh250,000 to pay the demanded bribe after the suspects told him that they had 'deep connections' in the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) through which they could secure him a chance."
The arrests came a day after the Ministry of Defence, in preparation of the nationwide exercise that kicked off on Monday, sent a text message to hopefuls warning them against engaging in fraudulent activities or falling for conmen tricks.
Every recruitment cycle, reports emerge of attempted bribery to gain unfair advantage into the force. The bribe can rise as high as Ksh500,000 per head.
"The Ministry of Defence will recruit KDF Cadets/Recruits between August and September 2023. Do not buy calling letters from anyone. Recruitment is free," read the warning in part.
The exercise was launched by Lieutenant General Jonah Mwangi, the Vice Chief of Defence Forces (VCDF) at the Defence Headquarters, Nairobi.
In his address, the VCDF disclosed that the recruitment shall be conducted between 8.00am and 5.00pm daily in 374 centers across all 47 counties and shall recruit officer cadets , recruits and Defence Forces constabularies drawn from ex-KDF and ex-National Youth Service (NYS) officers.
“To all aspiring candidates, be mindful that this is not a job but a calling. Every single day, the men and women in uniform renew their commitment to serve humanity and this is the conscious choice you’re just about to make," cautioned Mwangi.
“Shortlisting of the candidates is only the first step in the process considering that the physical verification of documents and medical examinations based on military benchmarks shall be conducted thereafter."
The exercise will run until Friday, September 8, 2023.
