Drug abuse crushes dreams as dozens of Lamu youth rejected in KDF 2025 recruitment

Several young applicants were disqualified from the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) recruitment in Lamu County due to medical issues, including drug abuse, officials have said.

The exercise, conducted at Mpeketoni, Lamu Central, and Faza recruitment centres, attracted hundreds of hopefuls who underwent medical, physical, and academic evaluations as part of the selection process.

Supervised by Senior Recruiting Officer Lieutenant Colonel Eliud Nangole, the recruitment sought to identify disciplined, physically fit, and qualified young Kenyans for enlistment into the Service. Lieutenant Colonel Nangole commended the candidates for their discipline, composure, and determination, saying the strong turnout reflected growing enthusiasm among the youth to serve their country.

However, not all applicants met the set requirements. Senior Medical Officer Lieutenant Colonel Wasike noted that several candidates were disqualified due to medical challenges, with drug abuse emerging as a key concern. He said substance abuse continues to undermine the potential of otherwise capable youth, denying them opportunities to serve in the military.

He called for community-led interventions, awareness programs, and mentorship initiatives to help address the issue and steer young people toward healthier, more productive lives.

Professional recruitment

Local administrators and community leaders praised KDF for conducting the recruitment professionally, saying such exercises offer valuable employment opportunities while strengthening ties between security institutions and local communities.

KDF launched its 2025 national recruitment drive for general duty recruits and defence constables on October 13, 2025, amid an ongoing court dispute over alleged discrimination in the process. The exercise, which runs until October 25, has drawn protests from 19 Nairobi MPs who claimed the city was unfairly allocated only three recruitment centres for its 17 sub-counties.

The nationwide drive, which also targets General Service Officer (GSO) cadets, specialist officers, and tradesmen and women, is part of KDF’s annual enlistment program. The Ministry of Defence has maintained that the exercise is free, open, and fair.

Speaking during the launch, Defence Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale said the Ministry had engaged legislators over their concerns, but no legal order had been issued to stop the process.

“No process has come forward to stop the recruitment, and we are going forward. We shall be looking forward to what comes out of the case, and we shall oblige with what the court rules,” the Defence CS said

Other Topics To Read

• Coast
• Kenya Defence Forces
• KDF recruitment
• Lamu drug abuse
• Drug abuse crushes dreams as dozens of Lamu youth rejected in KDF 2025 recruitment
• Headlines