The Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) has announced a nationwide recruitment exercise for December 2026, Capital FM reported. It targets General Service Officer (GSO) cadets, graduate cadets, specialist officers, general duty recruits and tradesmen and women. KDF says the drive is part of its annual intake across its service branches.
Applicants for GSO cadet, specialist officer and tradesmen and women posts must apply online through the Ministry of Defence recruitment portal by December 12. Shortlisted candidates will be named on the ministry's website and in print media between December 21 and 25, according to the Eastleigh Voice. General duty recruits will be picked in person at designated centres between December 14 and 28. Teams from the Kenya Army, Kenya Air Force and Kenya Navy will run the exercise. Tuko reported that it covers 427 venues in all 47 counties.
Age limits vary by category. Regular GSO cadets must be 18 to 23 years old. Graduate cadets, general duty recruits and tradesmen and women must be 18 to 26. Specialist officers must be 30 or younger, medical consultants 35 or younger, and chaplains and imams no older than 39.
Academic entry points also differ. Regular cadets need a KCSE mean grade of B plain, with at least C+ in English, Mathematics and one science subject. They train for three years and earn a Bachelor of Science in Defence and Security Studies. Graduate cadets need the same grades plus a relevant degree, and they train for 15 months. General duty recruits need a D plain, and National Youth Service graduates get an added advantage.
Specialist posts cover legal, medical and chaplaincy services. Lawyers must be advocates of the High Court with valid practising certificates. Tradesmen and women need diplomas or certificates in fields such as engineering, ICT, journalism and vehicle mechanics. Artisans in carpentry, masonry, welding, plumbing, tailoring and truck driving can also apply. Specialists and tradespeople need at least two years of relevant work experience.
All applicants must be Kenyan citizens with a valid ID and no criminal record. Men must be at least 1.60 metres tall and weigh at least 54.55 kilogrammes. Women must be at least 1.52 metres tall and weigh at least 50 kilogrammes. Body mass index must fall between 18.5 and 30.0, and women must not be pregnant during recruitment or training.
KDF warned that the exercise is free and that anyone paying or taking bribes faces arrest and prosecution. Biometric verification will be the only way to identify candidates, and no calling letters will be issued. The military urged the public to report malpractice, including fake calling letters, at the nearest police station or military camp, or on its hotline 0183749488.