KDF Announces Mass Recruitment; How to Apply

The Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) has announced countrywide recruitment for General Service Officer (GSO) Cadets (Regular and Graduates), Specialist Officers, General Duty Recruits, Tradesmen/women, and Defence Forces Constables.

In a notice announced on Monday, September 15, the military stated that the recruitment exercise would take place between Monday, October 13, and Saturday, October 25.

General Service Officers

In this category, KDF is targeting form 4 leavers  - for the regular posts and university graduates for the graduate posts.

"General Service Officer (GSO) Cadets - Regular. Must hold a minimum mean grade of B (Plain) in KCSE with C+ (Plus) in English, Mathematics, and one (1) Science subject," read the notice in part.

"The training period for this category will cover three (3) years, leading to a BSc degree in Defence and Security Studies upon completion."

For General Service Officer (GSO) Cadet - Graduate, applicants must hold the minimum requirement to qualify as GSO Cadet - Regular and be a Bachelor’s degree holder from a recognized University. The training period for this category will be 15 months.

Graduates being targeted for this post must have graduated in Criminology, Disaster Management, Security Studies, Forensics, Peace and Conflict Studies or related fields; Quantity Survey, Mechanical, Civil/Structural, Aeronautical/Aerospace/Space, Electrical & Electronics, Telecommunications, Marine, Architecture, Mechatronics, Biochemistry, Environmental Science/Engineering, Urban and Regional Planning, Interior design, Nuclear Science, Facility Management or Construction Project Management.

Other degrees listed were Education Arts (Geography, History, Business studies, Economics, French or Arabic) or Master’s/Bachelors of Arts degree in Applied Linguistics (French, Arabic or Chinese Mandarin); Commerce, Accounting, Finance, Audit, Entrepreneurship, Marketing, Supply Chain Management, Procurement and Contract Management or Human Resource Management; Geology; GIS & Remote Sensing or Geospatial Engineering; Hospitality Management, Food Production and/or Catering; Software Engineer/Developer, Hardware Engineer/Developer, Cyber Security, Information Security (Systems), Network Engineering, Artificial Intelligence & Robotics, Information Science or Applied Statistics; Journalism, Mass Communications, Film Production or Graphic Design; Library Studies and Information Science; Community Development; or Sports Science.

Specialist Officers

Applicants must hold the minimum requirement to qualify as GSO Cadet - Regular specified in Para 3.b.(1), be a Bachelor’s degree holder from a recognized University/Institution, and be registered with a regulatory/ statutory body where applicable.

Exemptions are for Chaplains/Imams who must hold a minimum mean grade of C+ (Plus) in KCSE and meet the qualifications specified. The training period for Specialist Officers will be six (6) months.

Chaplaincy: Bachelor’s degree in Theology or Islamic studies from a recognized institution. Roman Catholic and Protestant. Chaplains must be ordained Ministers and recommended by Episcopal Conference and Archbishop respectively. Imams must be recommended by the Chief Kadhi.

Engineers. Must hold a Bachelor’s degree in Nautical Science, Marine/Naval Architecture, Architecture or Civil/Structural Engineering.

ICT: Must hold a Bachelor’s degree in Software Engineering or Artificial Intelligence & Robotics.

Strategic Communication: Must hold a Bachelor’s degree in Journalism, Mass Communications, Film Production, or Graphic Design.

Legal: Must hold a Bachelor’s of Law (LL.B) from a recognized University, be an Advocate of the High Court of Kenya, and hold a current and valid Practicing Certificate. Certified Public Secretary (CPS) will be an added advantage.

Service Members (General Duty) Recruits.

Applicants must hold a minimum mean grade of D (Plain) in KCSE. Candidates who have successfully undergone NYS training and meet the general conditions set by KDF.

Tradesmen/women

"Prospective candidates must have a minimum mean grade of C (Plain) in KCSE, a relevant Diploma or above from a recognized institution, and be registered with the relevant statutory bodies, where applicable," read the application in part.

"Candidates must have a minimum mean grade of D+ (Plus) in KCSE and either a relevant Certificate with Government Trade Test Grade II or Craft II from a recognized institution."

Constables

Candidates must be a retired KDF Service Member or a retired National Youth Serviceman/woman.

"Retired KDF Service Member. Be between the ages of 30 and 55 years old, possess a Discharge Certificate with a minimum

rating of “Good” in conduct, must have served for nine (9) years Color Service and retired honorably from KDF," read the statement in part.

"Retired NYS Serviceman/woman. Be between the ages of 35 and 45 years old, possess a Discharge Certificate with a minimum rating of “Good” in conduct.

General Requirements for Recruits

1. Be a Kenyan citizen.

2. Be a holder of a valid Kenyan National Identity (ID) Card.

3. Candidates are required to bring their original documents together with four (4) copies of their National ID Card, KRA PIN Certificate and Academic Certificates.

4. Be between the ages 18 and 26 years for GSO Cadets (Regular and Graduates) and General Duty Recruits, and not above 30 years of age for Specialist Officers and Tradesmen/women, and not above 39 years of age for Chaplains/Imams.

5. Have no criminal record.

6. Candidates must meet the following minimum physical requirements:

(a) Minimum Height:

i. Men 1.60m (5ft 3in).

ii. Women 1.52m (5ft).

(b) Minimum Weight:

i. Men 54.55 kg (120 lb).

ii. Women 50.00 Kg (110 lb).

(c) Body Mass Index (BMI) must be below 30.

(d) Female candidates must not be pregnant at the time of recruitment and during the entire duration of training.

7. Medical. Candidates must be medically fit as per the KDF standards.

How to Apply

All interested candidates in the categories specified in Para 4 (General Service Officer Cadets (Regular and Graduates), Specialist Officers, and Tradesmen/women) must apply online.

Visit recruit.mod.go.ke to submit your application. The deadline for applications is 12th October 2025.

Shortlisted candidates will be notified through the print media between 21st and 24th October 2025.

"For General Duty Recruits and Defence Forces Constables. The KDF Recruiting Teams, consisting of the Kenya Army, the Kenya Air Force, and the Kenya Navy, will recruit General Duty Recruits and Defence Forces Constables at the designated Recruitment Centres," read the notice in part.

For more details on the recruitment process and the recruitment locations: https://www.mod.go.ke/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/KDF-RECRUITMENT-2025-ADVERT-FINAL-14-SEP-25-FINAL.pdf