Defence Cabinet Secretary Soipan Tuya has officially launched the 2025 nationwide Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) recruitment exercise.
Speaking at Defence Headquarters on Tuesday, October 14, the CS reiterated the government’s stance against corruption, vowing that no form of malpractice will be tolerated during the exercise.
Tuya said her ministry is working closely with top investigative and oversight agencies to ensure the process remains credible.
"The Defence Ministry is collaborating with the National Police Service, the Directorate of Criminal Investigations, the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission, and the National Intelligence Service to safeguard the integrity of the exercise," she stated.
Tuya noted that the recruitment drive is not merely about filling vacancies within the military but about identifying individuals with the commitment to serve.
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"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.
Acknowledging that past recruitment drives have occasionally faced allegations of irregularities, Tuya said that investigations in such cases had led to arrests and disciplinary actions where wrongdoing was confirmed.
However, she clarified that most of the reported incidents were linked to fraudsters posing as military officers.
"The recruitment exercise will strictly follow the Constitution, guaranteeing fairness, inclusivity, and representation from all 47 counties," she further said.
This comes days after the Chief of the Defence Forces (CDF), General Charles Kahariri, cautioned Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) recruitment officers against engaging in any form of malpractice ahead of its recruitment exercise.
Speaking during a briefing session at the Defence Headquarters in Nairobi on Thursday, October 9, Kahariri highlighted the importance of integrity, transparency, and professionalism throughout the recruitment process.
He reminded officers that the trust Kenyans have in the military is anchored in a fair, open, and merit-based system.
Kahariri revealed that the KDF has integrated advanced technology into its recruitment process to strengthen verification procedures and curb corruption.
He warned that any officer found engaging in activities that tarnish the integrity of the exercise would face immediate and severe disciplinary action.
Kahariri further stressed that corruption within the recruitment process undermines national security by compromising the quality and reliability of personnel joining the ranks.
"The reputation of the KDF has been built over decades of discipline and service to the nation. This exercise must reflect our core values of integrity, patriotism, and excellence.
"Technology is now at the heart of our recruitment process, and it is our duty to ensure it is used effectively to eliminate human interference and corruption," he said.
