The Kenya Defence Forces has commenced a two-week nationwide recruitment exercise.
The exercise which kicked off today Monday, 28th August is for the recruitment of Officer Cadets, Recruits, and Defence Forces constabularies drawn from ex-KDF and ex-National Youth Service officers.
The 2023 KDF recruitment exercise was launched by the Vice Chief of Defence Forces (VCDF) Lieutenant General Jonah Mwangi, at the Defence Headquarters, Nairobi.
The KDF recruitment exercise will be taking place in 374 centers across the country between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. daily.
The table below shows the dates and venues for the KDF recruitment exercise in the Coastal region.
| DATE | COUNTY | SUB-COUNTY | RECRUITMENT CENTRE |
| Mon 28th August 2023 | Kwale | Samburu | Samburu |
| Lamu | Lamu Central | Amu Island | |
| Mombasa | Changamwe | Changamwe | |
| Tana River | Bangale | Madogo | |
| Tana River | Galledyertu/Tana River | Wayu | |
| Tana River | Tana Delta | Garsen | |
| Tue 29th August 2023 | Kilifi | Magarini | Marafa |
| Lamu | Lamu West | Mpeketoni | |
| Mombasa | Kisauni | Kisauni | |
| Taita Taveta | Voi | Voi | |
| Wed 30th August 2023 | Kilifi | Malindi | Malindi |
| Lamu | Lamu East | Faza | |
| Mombasa | Likoni | Likoni | |
| Taita Taveta | Taveta | Taveta | |
| Thur 31st August 2023 | Kilifi | Chonyi | Mwembekati |
| Mombasa | Jomvu | Mikindani | |
| Taita Taveta | Mwatate | Mwatate | |
| Tana River | Tana North | Bura Tana | |
| Fri 1st September 2023 | Kilifi | Ganze | Ganze |
| Mombasa | Nyali | Kongowea | |
| Mon 4th September 2023 | Kilifi | Kauma | Jaribuni |
| Mombasa | Mombasa | Tononoka | |
| Tue 5th September 2023 | Kilifi | Kilifi North | Kilifi |
| Kwale | Lunga Lunga | Lungalunga | |
| Wed 6th September 2023 | Kilifi | Kaloleni | Kaloleni |
| Kwale | Msambweni | Msambweni | |
| Thur 7th September 2023 | Kilif | Rabai | Rabai |
| Kwale | Kinango | Kwale | |
| Fri 8th September 2023 | Kilifi | Kilifi South | Kikambala |
| Kwale | Matuga | Kwale |
Under the officer cadet cadre, KDF shall recruit General Service Officers (GSO) cadets, Graduate GSO cadets as well as Specialist Officer cadets while recruits shall consist of General Duty (GD) recruits (artisans) as well as Tradesmen/women.
Application for the Specialist cadets, tradesmen and women recruits, categories was closed on 20th of August 2023.
Shortlisting of the Specialists Officer Cadets and Tradesmen and women is ongoing and successful candidates shall be published between 17th and 19th September 2023.
“Shortlisting of the candidates is only the first step in the process considering that the physical verification of documents and medical examinations based on military benchmarks shall be conducted thereafter,” said VCDF Lieutenant General Jonah Mwangi while launching the exercise.
Qualifications and Requirements for KDF Recruitments
For one to take part in the exercise, you will need:
- Be a Kenyan Citizen aged 18-26yrs
- Height of 5.3ft (162cm) and above for men and 5ft (152cm) and above for women
- Weight of 54.4kg and above for men and 50kg and above for women
- Do not stutter
- Teeth should not be too discolored
- Do not have a tattoo
- Women should not be pregnant
- Not above 30yrs for Specialist officers and Tradesmen/women
- Do not have a criminal record
- Not above 39yrs for chaplains and imams
- Grade of not below D plain in KCSE
Another requirement is four copies of the National ID card, KRA Pin Certificate, and Academic Certificates.
Upon completion of the exercise, successful applicants shall be issued Calling Letters to commence basic training at the Kenya Military Academy (KAM) in Nakuru for cadets and the Recruits Training School (RTS) in Eldoret for recruits.
