KDF launches nationwide recruitment as court battle brews over Nairobi centres

The Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) will kick off its 2025 physical recruitment exercise for general duty recruits and defence constables across the country today, October 13, 2025, even as a court battle looms over alleged discrimination in the process.

The exercise, which runs until October 25, comes amid protests by 19 Nairobi MPs who claim the city has been unfairly allocated only three recruitment centres to serve its 17 sub-counties.

The nationwide recruitment, which also includes General Service Officer (GSO) Cadets, Specialist Officers and Tradesmen and women, is part of KDF’s annual enlistment drive. The Ministry of Defence has maintained that the recruitment is free, open and fair.

Applications for online roles, such as Specialist Officers and GSO Cadets, closed on October 12, 2025, through the official recruitment portal recruit.mod.go.ke. Shortlisted candidates will be notified between October 21 and 24 via local print media.

The physical recruitment process for General Duty recruits and Defence Constables will take place at designated centres in every county between October 13 and 25.

To qualify, candidates must be Kenyan citizens aged between 18 and 26 years. A minimum KCSE grade of D (Plain) is required for general duty recruits, while officer and specialist roles demand higher and specific academic qualifications.

Candidates must also meet the required physical and medical fitness standards, including a minimum height of 5 feet and a minimum weight of 54.5 kg for men and 50 kg for women. Those with tattoos or a criminal record will be automatically disqualified, while female candidates must not be pregnant at the start or during the training period.

KDF has reiterated that the recruitment process is free of charge and warned against any attempts at bribery or corruption.

“The recruitment is open to all qualified Kenyans. Anyone found engaging in corrupt or fraudulent practices will face legal action,” KDF said.

Despite the start of the recruitment, the High Court is set to rule on whether to suspend the countrywide exercise following a petition filed by 19 Nairobi legislators.

Justice Bahati Mwamuye said he will deliver his ruling on October 16 on whether to stop the exercise, which begins today, as sought by the MPs. However, he declined to issue an interim order halting the process, noting that the court can still stop it midway if it finds merit in the petition.

“The court can still stop the exercise midway if it finds merit in the petition,” Justice Mwamuye said.

The MPs, led by Embakasi West MP Mark Mwenje, Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna, and Woman Representative Esther Passaris, argue that the government’s recruitment itinerary is discriminatory as it allocates only three recruitment centres to serve all 17 sub-counties in Nairobi.

“A declaration that Nairobi residents are entitled to the same equitable and decentralised recruitment arrangements as residents of other counties,” the MPs said in their application.

They said that, unlike other counties where recruitment centres are designated in every gazetted sub-county, Nairobi has been consolidated into three centres, which they argue will “present a logistical nightmare” for applicants.

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The legislators further stated that the arrangement will unfairly disadvantage city residents, making it difficult for many eligible youths to participate due to congestion and logistical constraints.

“The main grievance by the petitioners is that the respondent’s notice, which does not provide for the Kenya Defence Forces to hold its recruitment in the allocated sub-counties within Nairobi County, is against the principles of equality and freedom from discrimination as provided for under Article 27 of the Constitution,” they said in the petition.

In the case filed against Attorney General Dorcas Oduor and the Ministry of Defence, the MPs are seeking an order compelling the government to review and re-publish the recruitment schedule to ensure equitable distribution of centres across all constituencies or sub-counties.

They contend that the failure to provide decentralised centres for Nairobi residents amounts to discrimination or unequal treatment compared to applicants in other counties.

“The petitioners aver that the respondents’ failure to accord the potential recruits from Nairobi with the same opportunities to access decentralised recruitment centres as the other potential recruits in the other 46 counties amounts to discrimination or unequal treatment,” reads the petition in part.

The Attorney General and the Ministry of Defence have urged the court to dismiss the petition, saying it has no merit and that the recruitment process has been designed to ensure national equity and efficiency.

The MPs, however, maintain that the government’s plan will lead to overcrowding, logistical challenges and indirect discrimination against Nairobi residents, particularly the youth eager to join the military.

“The effect of the skewed itinerary is that residents of Nairobi will be unfairly disadvantaged compared to their counterparts in other counties, resulting in inequitable access to recruitment opportunities and indirect discrimination,” they said.

Justice Mwamuye will deliver his ruling on the matter on October 16, 2025.