Deputy CDF Jonah Mwangi Explains Why Short People Aren't Picked To Join KDF: "Weapons Are 4ft Long"

• Vice Chief of Defence Forces Jonah Mwangi said the Kenya Defence Force (KDF) has strict guidelines for its recruitment exercise
• Mwangi explained that short people are overlooked during recruitment because of the training demands
• According to Mwangi, people who are less than 5ft long cannot withstand the ever-demanding training programme

Nairobi - Vice Chief of Defence Forces Jonah Mwangi has disclosed the critical requirements of the Kenya Defence Forces recruitment process.

During an interview on Citizen TV, Mwangi explained why short people are not allowed to join Kenya Defence Forces.

What are the requirements for KDF recruitment?

Mwangi revealed that men's current minimum height requirement is 1.60m (5ft 3in) while women's is 1.52m (5ft).

According to his explanation, height and weight are critical during KDF training, as recruits usually are required to carry a lot of weight.

He noted that short people are not considered for KDF slots because, during training, they might not have attained the required weight.

"Short are great people, but there are criteria that are set. For you as a woman to join you have to be 5 ft and above, and for a man you have to be 5ft 3in. The reason is that if you come in shorter than 5ft, there is a possibility you might not attain the required weight. If have more weight than what you ought to have, through training, you might shrink," Mwangi explained.

Another major reason short people are overlooked during KDF recruitment is the kind of weapons disciplined forces use.

Mwangi explained that KDF used weapons which are 4ft long; hence it would be unrealistic to have a person less than 5ft comfortably use such weapons during war.

"The danger is that the weapons that we use are 4ft. You can imagine standing on parade, you are going to fight, and the weapons are taller than you," he added.

KDF recruitment exercise

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Defence notified the public of an oncoming recruitment drive for Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) cadets and other specialist officers.

The posts seeking recruits are General Service Officers (GSO) Cadets comprising regular and graduate degree holders, specialists officers, General Duty Recruits, Tradesmen/women and Defence Forces Constables.

Those seeking to be Specialist Officers and tradesmen/women must have practised in their field of specialisation for at least two years.

The recruitment officers will visit recruitment centres on diverse dates before the end of September to evaluate the potential.

The centres will be for the recruitment of General Service Officers (GSOs), Cadets, General Service Officer Cadets-graduate degree holders, General Duty Recruits and Defence Forces Constables.

The potential candidates are required to have attained between 18 and 26 years of age.