The General Service Officers (GSO) cadet candidates, selected during a past Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) countrywide recruitment exercise. (Photo: KDF)The Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) has announced a nationwide recruitment exercise set for next month for young Kenyans to join the military.
KDF says it’s looking for personnel to join its ranks, both constables and specialised officers who will be trained at either Recruits Training College in Eldoret or Kenya Military Academy, in Lanet, Nakuru.
“The Kenya Defence Force (KDF) is pleased to announce to the public the recruitment of General Service Officer Cadet Regular, General Service Officer Cadet Graduate, Specialist Officers, General Duty Recruits, Tradesmen and Women and Defence Forces Constables. The recruitment will take place in October 2025,” KDF said in a public advertisement.
The exercise will kick off on October 13 and end on the 25th of October 2025 across different sub-counties in the country.
The military has warned that any person who attempts to extort or give bribes to obtain a vacancy will be arrested and prosecuted.
“WARNING. The Kenya Defence Forces recruitment drive is FREE and OPEN to all eligible and qualified candidates. Engaging in BRIBERY or any other form of CORRUPTION with the intent to influence the recruitment process is a CRIMINAL OFFENCE. Any individual found to be involved in recruitment-related malpractice will be arrested and prosecuted. The Public is urged to report any incidents of recruitment malpractice to the nearest Police Station or Military Camp or call the dedicated Hotline numbers: 0726419706/0726419709.”
In the category of General Service Officer (GSO) Cadets – Regular, KDF says the prospective candidates must hold a minimum mean grade of B (Plain) in KCSE with C+ (Plus) in English, Mathematics and one (1) Science subject.
“The training period for this category will cover three (3) years leading to a BSc degree in Defence and Security Studies upon completion.”
In the second category of General Service Officer (GSO) Cadet – Graduate, the qualification as been set at a minimum Bachelor’s degree holder from a recognized University/Institution in any of the disciplines specified under the vacancies with the training period for this category will be fifteen (15) months.
On the other hand, Specialist Officers must hold the minimum requirement to qualify as GSO Cadet – being a Bachelor’s degree with exemptions are for Chaplains/Imams who must hold a minimum mean grade of C+ (Plus) in KCSE. The training period for Specialist Officers will be six (6) months.
General Duty Recruits must hold a minimum mean grade of D (Plain) in KCSE with candidates who have successfully undergone NYS having an added advantage.
Prospective candidates under Tradesmen/Women must either posses a diploma and a minimum mean grade of C (Plain) in KCSE, or for Certificate holders a minimum mean grade of D+ (Plus) in KCSE and either a relevant Certificate with Government Trade Test Grade II or Craft II from a recognized institution.
“All interested candidates in the categories (General Service Officer Cadets (Regular and Graduates), Specialist Officers and Tradesmen/women) MUST APPLY ONLINE. Visit: https://recruit.mod.go.ke to submit your application. The deadline for applications is 12th October 2025. Shortlisted candidates will be notified through the print media between 21st and 24th October 2025
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