Senators raise alarm over bribery, discrimination in upcoming military, police recruitment

Senators have raised alarm over the integrity of the upcoming military and police recruitment, citing allegations of bribery, discrimination and the sale of recruitment slots to the highest bidders.

In a session on Wednesday, the legislators said the process appears rigged to favour certain areas, with slots being sold to those willing to pay.

Kakamega Senator Boni Khalwale stunned the Senate when he recounted that a man from his county had approached him, offering to sell his family’s bull to raise money for a bribe to secure his son’s recruitment into the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF).

“One Maurice Mate came to me saying he needs Sh400,000 because he has been asked to buy a chance in the military. He came with the only bull he has so that I can buy it for him to raise the money,” Khalwale said.

“This is not an isolated case. Opportunities for children to join the military are being sold. Many Kenyans are being asked for money to be recruited. The bribe goes for at least Sh300,000.”

Over the years, KDF recruitment of servicemen, women and constables has faced public criticism over discrimination, unfair hiring practices and corruption. The 2023 recruitment exercise, for example, drew allegations of regional favouritism, with a disproportionate number of recruits reportedly coming from just two ethnic groups.

The latest concerns arise as both KDF and the National Police Service Commission (NPSC) warn against bribery and corruption during recruitment. The KDF is set to recruit General Service Officer Cadets, Specialist Officers, General Duty Recruits, Tradesmen/Women and Constables from October 13 to 25, 2025.

The recruitment advertisement stresses that the process is free and open to all qualified candidates, warning that attempts to influence recruitment through bribery are criminal offences.

“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,” reads the advert.

Defence Cabinet Secretary Soipan Tuya, who was expected to respond to the allegations on Wednesday, did not appear, citing a prior security meeting.

“We wanted the minister to come and clarify whether chances in the military are up for sale or if it is on merit. And if it is on merit, what is that merit?” Khalwale said.

The allegations extend to the NPSC’s planned recruitment of police officers, scheduled to begin on Friday. The Commission is seeking to recruit 10,000 officers, including 4,000 reserved for National Youth Service graduates, between October 3 and 9, 2025.

The NPSC has warned that providing false or misleading information is an offence punishable by a fine of up to Sh200,000 or imprisonment of up to two years. To enhance transparency, the exercise will be conducted entirely online.

Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna condemned CS Tuya’s repeated absences, saying Nairobi leaders had written to her on September 15 without a response.

“We feel we are being discriminated against as we only have three centres for recruitment against 17 constituencies we have whereas in other areas it is happening at the sub-counties,” Sifuna said.

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“Considering that the biggest youth bulge and unemployment is in Nairobi, when recruitment opportunities in the Defence Forces arise, we feel our youth should be given a fair chance, considering Nairobi’s population.”

Earlier in March, CS Tuya acknowledged loopholes in the recruitment process, admitting that fraudsters masquerading as military generals had exploited desperate Kenyans. She said the Defence Council was developing a tamperproof recruitment system, which will eventually be made public to prevent malpractice and favouritism.

“There are known challenges that we need to address concerning recruitment. We are working round the clock and I will soon give details on measures we are taking to seal the loopholes that exist with our recruitment processes,” she said.

Tharaka Nithi Senator Mwenda Gataya also criticised the fraudulent practices, noting that some parents have sold property or spent vast sums in the hope of securing enlistment for their children, only to be disappointed.

Despite the concerns, KDF maintains that the recruitment process will be transparent, fair and free of charge.

Positions available include General Service Officer Cadets (Regular and Graduate), Specialist Officers, General Duty Recruits, Tradesmen/Women and Defence Forces Constables.

Minimum academic requirements range from a KCSE mean grade of B (Plain) with C+ in English, Mathematics, and a science subject for GSO Cadets, to professional qualifications or a university degree for Specialist Officers and Graduate Cadets.