KDF Announces December Recruitment Drive for Cadets, Specialists and Recruits

 

The Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) will hold a nationwide recruitment exercise in December 2026. The military announced the plan in a notice issued on Thursday, November 11. 

The drive covers four categories. These are General Service Officer (GSO) cadets, specialist officers, general duty recruits, and tradesmen and tradeswomen.

Regular GSO cadets must be aged 18 to 23. They need a KCSE mean grade of B (Plain). They also need at least C+ in English, Mathematics, and Science. 

Graduate cadets must meet the same KCSE requirements. They must also hold a relevant bachelor's degree and be aged 18 to 26. Their training will last fifteen months.

Specialist officers must be 30 or younger. They need a relevant bachelor's degree and professional registration where applicable. They must also have at least two years of practical experience.

General duty recruits must be aged 18 to 26. They need a minimum KCSE grade of D (Plain). Prior National Youth Service training is an advantage.

Tradesmen and tradeswomen must be aged 18 to 26. Diploma holders need a C- grade. Certificate holders need a D+ grade. Relevant professional qualifications are also required.

All applicants must be Kenyan citizens. They must hold valid national identity cards and clean criminal records. Medical fitness and the prescribed physical standards must also be met.

General duty recruitment will take place physically from December 14 to 28. Counties across the country will host the exercise at designated centres. The first phase begins on Monday, December 14. It covers Nairobi, Mombasa, Kisumu, Nakuru, Garissa, Turkana, Bungoma, and Meru.

The second phase runs from December 15 to 19. It reaches Kiambu, Kakamega, Kilifi, Machakos, Nyeri, Wajir, and Trans Nzoia. The final rounds, from December 21 to 28, cover Embu, Kirinyaga, Nandi, Taita Taveta, and Tharaka-Nithi.

Applications for cadets, specialist officers, tradesmen, and tradeswomen must be submitted online. They must be made through the recruitment portal, recruit.mod.go.ke, by December 12, 2026.