KDF Announces Massive Nationwide Recruitment Drive For of Cadets, Constables & Specialists Starting October
The Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) has announced that it will conduct a nationwide recruitment exercise next month targeting various categories of recruits.
In a notice issued on Sunday, September 14, the military said the exercise will cover recruitment of General Service Officer (GSO) cadets—both regular and graduate—Specialist Officers, General Duty Recruits, Tradesmen and Women, and Defence Forces Constables.
KDF asked all interested candidates to apply online before October 12, 2025 and noted that no manual applications will be accepted.
“All interested candidates in the categories specified must apply online to submit their application. Deadline is 12th October 2025. Shortlisted candidates will be advertised in the print media between 21st and 24th October 2025,” KDF stated.
Recruitment teams from the Kenya Army, Kenya Air Force and Kenya Navy will be at designated centres across the country.
Requirements
Applicants must be Kenyan citizens and present original and copies of their National ID Card, KRA PIN and academic certificates.
- GSO cadets and General Duty Recruits: 18-26 years old.
- Specialist Officers and Tradesmen/Women: Not above 30 years.
- Chaplains and Imams: Not above 39 years.
For GSO cadets (regular) the minimum academic requirement is B (plain) in KCSE with at least C+ in English, Maths and one Science subject. Training for this category will take 3 years.
GSO graduate cadets must have a degree from a recognized university, be 30 years old and above and undergo a 15 months training.
Specialist officers must have a bachelor’s degree in their field and be registered with relevant professional bodies.
For Tradesmen/Women the requirement is C (plain) in KCSE or Diploma/Certificate in the relevant trade.
Defence Forces Constables must be retired KDF service members below 52 years or retired NYS personnel between 35-45 years old with at least D (plain) in KCSE.
Recruitment Centres
The military has announced that the full list of counties and centres will be published in local dailies on September 16 and on Ministry of Defence website and KDF platforms.
The exercise will start on October 13 in over 28 counties including Nairobi, Mombasa, Nakuru, and Kiambu.
- In Nairobi, residents of Dagoretti, Kibra, Lang’ata, and Westlands will report to Jamhuri Grounds, while those from Embakasi North, Kasarani, Mathare, Roysambu, and Ruaraka will assemble at Kasarani MSC. Recruits from Embakasi Central, East, South, West, Kamukunji, Makadara, and Starehe will be screened at Nyayo Stadium.
- In Mombasa, Changamwe and Nyali sub-counties will host the exercise at Changamwe grounds and Kongowea centre respectively.
- In Nakuru, the recruitment will take place at designated centres in Nakuru East, Nakuru North, West, and Kuresoi sub-counties.
- In Kiambu, various sub-counties including Kiambaa, Ndeiya, Githunguri, Limuru, Githurai, and Gatundu North will host the drive between October 14 and 22.
Other counties like Machakos and Kakamega are also part of the schedule, with centres spread across sub-counties to cover the whole country.
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KDF Announces Massive Nationwide Recruitment Drive For of Cadets, Constables & Specialists Starting October