Senators demand probe into alleged bias in 2023 KDF recruitment
The Senate has tasked its National Security, Defence, and Foreign Relations Committee, chaired by Isiolo Senator Fatuma Dullo, with investigating discrepancies reported during the exercise.
The 2023 Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) recruitment has come under scrutiny as Senators push for investigations into alleged irregularities that denied some candidates their rightful places.
The Senate has tasked its National Security, Defence, and Foreign Relations Committee, chaired by Isiolo Senator Fatuma Dullo, with investigating discrepancies reported during the exercise.
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Kajiado Senator Seki Lenku led the call for an inquiry, citing the case of Reuben Ngige Muthoni from Ngaimurunya in Kajiado North. Muthoni, despite being shortlisted and issued a confirmation letter, was never admitted to the force.
“Despite having his biometric and identification documents taken, he has never received any further communication, nor has his identity card returned,” Lenku stated.
As part of its mandate, the committee is expected to obtain and review the final list of successful candidates who have since completed training at the Defence Academy, detailing their names, identification, home counties, and sub-counties.
The Senators also want an investigation into the procedures followed during the recruitment process, including how identification documents were handled and whether standard protocols were applied consistently.
Senate Majority Whip Boni Khalwale emphasised the need to assess the regional, ethnic, and county representation within KDF.
“This is sensitive because it comes hot on the heels of a court ruling by the High Court, which found that in KRA, only two communities are favoured in employment,” Khalwale said.
He further argued that such concerns extend to KDF recruitment, where allegations of favouritism persist.
Recruitment for KDF servicemen, women, and constables has long been marred by accusations of discrimination, unfair hiring, and corruption.
The 2023 exercise faced claims of regional bias, with suggestions that a significant percentage of recruits came from two dominant ethnic groups closely linked to the government.
Last month, Emuhaya MP Omboko Milemba claimed that no candidate from his constituency was selected.
“Ask the national government administration officers here if they can trace any child from here who got the opportunity to join the forces,” Milemba said, alleging that outsiders were given priority over locals.
The Senators have also called for a closer look at the recruitment letters issued to candidates, especially the discrepancies in content.
They want the committee to determine whether all applicants went through the same selection process and whether some were favoured over others.
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Amid mounting pressure, Defence Cabinet Secretary Soipan Tuya announced that the government is working on a tamper-proof recruitment process.
“We have heard the complaints and murmurs, and we are panel-beating the process to minimize malpractices,” she stated, promising that future recruitment will reflect the country’s diversity.
The committee is expected to present its findings to the Senate, outlining any irregularities and recommendations to ensure a fair process in future recruitment exercises.
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