The Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) has announced a nationwide recruitment drive for the Kenya Army, Kenya Navy and Kenya Air Force. A notice on the Ministry of Defence website says it is open to General Service Officer (GSO) cadets, specialist officers, general duty recruits and tradesmen and women. Specialist roles cover fields such as education, engineering, ICT, mass communication, law and supply chain management, Pulse Live Kenya reported.
The military has changed several eligibility rules, Kenyans.co.ke reported. The maximum age for regular GSO cadets drops from 26 to 23. Tradesmen and women now face an age limit of 18 to 26, down from an upper limit of 30. Diploma holders applying as tradesmen can now qualify with a KCSE grade of C minus instead of C plain. Graduate GSO cadets and general duty recruits keep the 18 to 26 age bracket used in 2025.
The notice also sets new age caps, according to Kenyans.co.ke. Medical consultants, catechists and maalims must be 35 or younger. Specialist officers must not be older than 30, while chaplains and imams must be 39 or younger.
Physical vetting for general duty recruits will run from December 14 to December 28 at centres in all 47 counties. In Nairobi, recruitment will take place at sub-county centres. Moi International Sports Centre Kasarani will serve Kasarani on December 15 and Roysambu on December 16, Pulse Live Kenya reported. General duty recruits need at least a D plain in KCSE and no criminal record.
Physical standards stay the same. Men must be at least 1.60 metres tall and weigh at least 54.55kg. Women must be at least 1.52 metres tall and weigh at least 50kg. All applicants need a body mass index between 18.5 and 30. Women must not be pregnant during recruitment or training. Candidates must carry their original ID and academic papers. They also need four copies of their national ID, KRA PIN certificate and academic certificates.
Cadets, specialist officers and tradesmen must apply through the Ministry of Defence recruitment portal by December 12. Shortlisted candidates will be named on the ministry website and in print media between December 21 and December 25. Biometric checks will be the only form of identification, so no calling letters will be issued, Kenyans.co.ke reported.
KDF said the exercise is free and selection will be based on merit. It warned that bribery or attempts to influence the process are crimes that could lead to arrest and prosecution. Malpractice should be reported to the nearest police station or military camp, or through a dedicated hotline.