Nairobi Man Who Went For KDF Recruitment Recounts Disappointments: "9 People Jumped From Ambulance And Joined"

• KDF recruitment exercises undertaken periodically across the country are synonymous with stunts
• The escapades range from the officers in charge of recruitment soliciting bribes to the hopefuls employing unorthodox means to enhance their chances
• Kaizer Obed, a one-time KDF hopeful, recounts losing it at the hands of his competitors who fraudulently secured themselves the chances of being recruited

Nairobi - For a time, military police recruitment has always been characterised by all manner of escapades.

From the recruitment officers being busted taking kickbacks, hopeful recruits enticing the officers with glued monies on their inner feet to some faking their documents to fit into the recruitment specificities.

It is, however, a whole different story for Kaizer Obed.

The digital marketing specialist recounts how events panned out in 2017 when he showed up at his native grounds to try his luck in a recruitment drive that would have earned him a slot in the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF).

He says he gave up on seeking entry into the military after learning some well-connected persons are aided in seizing the coveted slots effortlessly.

In Obed's case, a host of hopefuls boarded an ambulance as the others religiously ran through the rough terrains of North Mugirango as per the routine.

"One day I went for KDF recruitment at Ekerenyo, North Mugirango and I vowed never to go back. We were running 8km. Three of us were behind the police ambulance ready to be numbers 1,2 and 3," he recalls.

Despite their resolve to brave themselves in the eight-kilometre race, Obed and his colleagues were bewildered after it dawned on them that the recruits aboard the ambulance had been cleared as successful.

"When we were around 1km to finishing, 9 people jumped from the ambulance and joined the race. I have never healed after that the officer in charge told me to "you have tried but for a wrong job," he recalled.

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

KDF 2023 recruitment

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 are required to have practised in their field of specialisation for at least two years.

The recruitment officers will be visiting recruitment centres on diverse dates between August and September to evaluate the potentials.

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.

Specialist Officers and Tradesmen/women should not be aged above 30 years; applicants for this post will first make their applications on the Ministry of Defence website.

All the applications in the aforementioned categories will not be required until August 20 this year.

Those making it to the final shortlist will be notified via the print media between September 17 to 24.

Candidates must meet the minimum physical requirements which include a minimum height of 1.60m, (5ft 3in) for men, and women's 1.52m (5ft).

The minimum weight for men is 54.55 kg and for women 50.00 Kg; pregnant women have been discouraged from applying for the posts.