Nairobi MPs have threatened to move to court to stop countrywide Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) recruitment exercise, citing claims of unfair “clumped hiring” that they say disadvantages youths from the capital.
The legislators, who addressed the press at Parliament Buildings on Wednesday, accused the Defence ministry of planning an unfair process that discriminates city’s youths.
The MPs argue giving the 17 constituencies in Nairobi only three hiring venues will give leeway to outsiders to compete for the county’s slots.
Led by Senator Edwin Sifuna and Embakasi West MP Mark Mwenje, the lawmakers warned that unless the imbalance is addressed, they will file a petition in court to suspend the exercise until fairness is guaranteed.
“If this does not stop, we will stop recruitment of KDF in the entire country. Kenya Police Service is doing recruitment in 17 constituencies, why is it that KDF does not want to do the same?” Mwenje asked.
“We are going to take this matter to the floor and if need be to the courts to stop this issue.”
The MPs also issued a warning to Defence Cabinet Secretary Soipan Tuya, threatening to push for sanctions against her in Parliament if the matter is not resolved urgently.
According to Sifuna, they had officially written a protest letter to the CS eight days ago but the same has not been responded to.
“Nairobi has the biggest youth population and the problem of unemployment bites hard in the city. If you cluster all of us in three places, people will even come from other counties like Machakos, ” Sifuna said.
Sifuna also backed the move to censure Soipan arguing she has treated the 19 elected MPs from Nairobi with utter contempt.
“We raised the issue officially with the ministry, she doesn’t have even the courtesy to respond to the people’s representatives. How else do we get our people heard?” Sifuna posed.
“We will pursue all means including Parliament and courts.”
Dagoretti North MP Beatrice Elachi urged the CS to personally intervene and ensure Nairobi youths get what they termed as their fair share.
She wondered why Nairobi is being treated differently from other 46 counties where recruitment is being done in the subcounties.
“In every subcounty in this country, you find five people or six, they are always recruited. In Nairobi, when you cluster us in three, how many are you recruiting?” Elachi asked.
“How will you know this number has come from constituency A or constituency B?” she asked.
KDF had on September 14, published advertisements directing residents of Embakasi Central, Embakasi East, Embakasi South, Embakasi West, Kamkunji Makadara and Starehe constituencies to congregate at Nyayo Stadium.
KDF also directed Kasarani, Ruaraka Mathare and Roysambu constituencies to turn up at Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani for the exercise.
KDF further consolidated Dagoretti North, Dogoretti South, Lang’ata, Kibra and Westlands constituencies at Jamhuri grounds.
The nationwide recruitment drive slated for next month seeks to enlist thousands of new cadets and servicemen into the KDF.
INSTANT ANALYSIS
The 2025 intake includes openings for General Service Officer Cadets, Specialist Officers, Tradesmen/women and other specialised roles in fields such as, education, engineering, ICT, mass communication, legal and supply chain management.
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