President William Ruto on Tuesday, October 14, stepped out in full military uniform to mark Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) Day.
The commemoration ceremony, held at the Moi Barracks in Uasin Gishu County, marked Ruto’s first time donning KDF attire since assuming office.
In images shared by State House, the Head of State was seen walking from his office en route to the event in the attire.
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KDF Day is an annual national event held to honour and celebrate the bravery, sacrifices, and service of the men and women of the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF).
It is a day dedicated to recognizing the crucial role KDF plays in defending Kenya’s sovereignty and contributing to peace and stability both at home and abroad.
The event is marked every year on October 14, a date chosen to commemorate the KDF’s entry into Somalia in 2011 under Operation Linda Nchi.
The operation was launched to combat the al-Shabaab terror group, which had been carrying out cross-border attacks and kidnappings inside Kenya.
Each year, a national ceremony is held at a selected KDF barracks or military base and is presided over by the President, who is also the Commander-in-Chief of the Defence Forces.
The ceremony features military parades, honours for fallen soldiers, and awards for distinguished service.
Families of soldiers who lost their lives in the line of duty are also recognized and supported during the celebrations.
Meanwhile, Defence Cabinet Secretary Soipan Tuya has officially launched the 2025 nationwide KDF recruitment exercise.
Speaking at the Defence Headquarters in Nairobi, the CS emphasised that the government had adopted a zero-tolerance stance against malpractice, vowing that the integrity of the exercise would be fully protected.
Tuya described the recruitment as a vital national effort aimed at replenishing KDF ranks, expanding emerging units, and enhancing the country’s overall defence capabilities.
She acknowledged that while previous drives had occasionally attracted complaints of corruption, investigations had resulted in arrests and disciplinary measures where wrongdoing was proven.
Tuya clarified that many of the reported scams in past years involved fraudsters posing as KDF officers to deceive unsuspecting applicants.
"The recruitment exercise will strictly follow the Constitution, guaranteeing fairness, inclusivity, and representation from all 47 counties," she said.
To ensure the integrity of the process, Tuya revealed that the Defence Ministry is working in close coordination with the National Police Service, the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI), the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC), and the National Intelligence Service (NIS).
"This process is not just about filling positions. It’s about finding disciplined, patriotic young Kenyans ready to serve their country with courage and commitment," she added.
