KDF Announces Mass Recruitment: How to Apply

The Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) has announced a nationwide recruitment exercise targeting General Service Officer (GSO) Cadets, Specialist Officers, General Duty Recruits and Tradesmen/women.

In an advertisement issued on Thursday, November 12, the military announced that the recruitment exercise will take place in December 2026.

The recruitment drive will cover four main categories, including regular and graduate officer cadets, specialist officers, general duty recruits and tradesmen/women.

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KDF Recruitment Requirements

Applicants must meet several general requirements before they can be considered for recruitment.

Candidates must be Kenyan citizens, possess a valid ID Card, have no criminal record, be medically fit according to KDF standards and meet the stipulated age, height, weight and Body Mass Index (BMI) requirements.

The age limits vary depending on the recruitment category.  Regular GSO Cadet applicants must be between 18 and 23 years, while Graduate GSO Cadets, General Duty Recruits and Tradesmen/women must be between 18 and 26 years.

Specialist Officers must not be above 30 years, while Medical Consultants must not be above 35 years. Chaplains and Imams must not be above 39 years, while Catechists and Maalims must not be above 35 years.

KDF has also outlined minimum physical requirements for prospective candidates.

Male applicants must have a minimum height of 1.60 metres (5 feet 3 inches), while female applicants must be at least 1.52 metres (5 feet).

In terms of weight, men must weigh at least 54.55kg, while women must weigh at least 50kg. Candidates must also have a Body Mass Index (BMI) ranging between 18.5 and 30.0 kg/m².

Female candidates must not be pregnant during recruitment and throughout the entire training period.

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Academic Qualifications for KDF Recruitment

1. General Service Officer (GSO) Cadets – Regular

Applicants must have a minimum mean grade of B (Plain) in KCSE, with at least C+ in English, Mathematics and one Science subject. Successful candidates will undergo three years of training, leading to a Bachelor of Science degree in Defence and Security Studies.

2. General Service Officer (GSO) Cadets – Graduates

Applicants must meet the minimum KCSE requirements for regular GSO Cadets and hold a bachelor's degree from a recognised university in one of the advertised disciplines.

These include Disaster Management and Security Studies, Engineering, Education, Finance, Business and Human Resource Management, Geology, GIS, Hospitality and Catering, Information and Communications Technology (ICT), Strategic Communication, Library Studies, Sports Management, Strategic Management and Leadership, Public Administration, and Agroforestry and Rural Development.

The training period for graduate GSO Cadets will be 15 months.

3. Specialist Officers

Applicants must meet the minimum KCSE requirements for regular GSO Cadets, hold a relevant bachelor's degree and be registered with the relevant regulatory or statutory body, where applicable.

The advertised specialist positions include Chaplaincy, Legal, Medical and Medical Consultants. Medical Consultants must hold a Master of Medicine (MMed) in Internal Medicine or Radiology.

There are exemptions for Chaplains and Imams, who must have at least a C+ in KCSE and meet the specified professional qualifications. Specialist Officers will undergo seven months of training.

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4. General Duty Recruits

Applicants must have a minimum KCSE mean grade of D (Plain). Candidates who have successfully undergone National Youth Service (NYS) training and meet the general recruitment requirements will have an added advantage.

5. Tradesmen and Women

This category targets Kenyans with diploma and certificate-level qualifications in various technical and professional fields.

How to Apply for KDF Recruitment

For GSO Cadets, Specialist Officers and Tradesmen/women, interested candidates must submit their applications online through the Ministry of Defence recruitment portal.

Applicants should visit the official KDF recruitment portal at https://recruit.mod.go.ke and follow the application instructions provided on the portal.

The deadline for submitting an application is December 12, 2026.  Applicants who need assistance can contact the recruitment help desk through rms-helpdesk@mod.go.ke.

“Shortlisted candidates will be notified through the Ministry’s website: mod.go.ke and print media between 21st and 25 th December 2026,” read the notice in part.

Unlike the other categories, General Duty Recruits are required to present themselves physically at designated recruitment centres.

The KDF recruitment teams, comprising the Kenya Army, Kenya Air Force and Kenya Navy, will conduct the exercise across the country between December 14 and December 28, 2026.

Candidates should attend the recruitment centre designated for their respective sub-county and recruitment date. Here is the list of the recruitment centres and dates 

Applicants are also required to present their original documents alongside four copies of their National ID, KRA PIN certificate and academic certificates.