The Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) has issued a stern warning to Kenyans ahead of the national recruitment exercise.
Speaking on Monday, November 15, the KDF Vice Chief of Defence Forces, Lieutenant General Francis Ogolla, stated that the recruitment exercise would be monitored to ensure transparency and fairness of the process.
In a bid to reduce corruption in the recruitment exercises, Ogolla announced that KDF had made changes to seal loopholes previously used by cartels to manipulate the process.
"No KDF calling letters would be issued outside designated centres," he stated.
Through the changes, KDF hopes to lock out those trying to get into the disciplined forces by employing different shortcuts which are against the law. He further stated that the disciplined forces would not be held liable for any monetary loss incurred due to graft.
"Should anyone give a bribe, then they would have themselves to blame," the KDF's Second in Command reiterated.
In addition, only those that meet the set conditions for recruitment would be allowed. These include being Kenyan citizens (no dual citizenship), being a holder of a national identity card, having no criminal record, and must be fit in accordance with KDF standards.
On October 26, the Ministry of Defence announced a countrywide mass recruitment drive that would see Kenyans join specialised and general categories of KDF.
“The public is notified that the recruitment exercise is scheduled to take place in the month of November 2021 and will take place across the country on designated dates,” the advert read.
The recruitment categories include General Service Officer (GSO) Cadets, GSO Cadet Graduates Specialist Cadets, General Duty recruits, Tradesmen and women, and Defence Forces Constables.
Through a statement published in local dailies on November 10, the Ministry under Cabinet Secretary, Eugene Wamalwa, made adjustments in regards to the Nairobi recruitment process. It announced that the exercise, which was initially scheduled to take place at the Nyayo Stadium, was moved to the City Stadium.
