KDF Invites Applications for October 2025 Mass Recruitment; How to Apply

The Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) has announced a nationwide recruitment drive set to begin in October 2025.

Telegrams: “DEFENCE” Nairobi Defence Headquarters

Tel No.: +254-20-2721100 ULINZI House
Fax No.: +254-20-2725854 P O Box 40668 – 00100
NAIROBI, KENYA

MINISTRY OF DEFENCE

ADVERTISEMENT FOR RECRUITMENT OF GENERAL SERVICE OFFICER (GSO) CADETS, SPECIALIST OFFICERS, GENERAL DUTY RECRUITS, TRADESMEN/WOMEN AND DEFENCE FORCES CONSTABLES INTO THE KENYA DEFENCE FORCES

The Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) is pleased to announce to the public the upcoming recruitment of General Service Officer (GSO) Cadets (Regular and Graduates), Specialist Officers, General Duty Recruits, Tradesmen/women and Defence Forces Constables, which is scheduled to take place in the month of October 2025.
WARNING. The Kenya Defence Forces recruitment drive is FREE and OPEN to all eligible and qualified candidates. Engaging in BRIBERY or any other form of CORRUPTION with the intent to influence the recruitment process is a CRIMINAL OFFENCE. Any individual found to be involved in recruitment-related malpractice will be arrested and prosecuted. The Public is urged to report any incidents of recruitment malpractice to the nearest Police Station or Military Camp or call the dedicated Hotline numbers: 0726419706/0726419709.
Prospective candidates willing to join the Kenya Defence Forces MUST meet the following conditions and academic qualifications:

a. General Conditions
(1) Be a Kenyan citizen.
(2) Be a holder of a valid Kenyan National Identity (ID) Card. Additionally, candidates are required to bring their original documents together with four (4) copies of their National ID Card, KRA PIN Certificate and Academic Certificates.
(3) Be within the following age brackets:
(a) Between 18 and 26 years for GSO Cadets (Regular and Graduates) and General Duty Recruits.
(b) Not above 30 years of age for Specialist Officers and Tradesmen/women.
(c) Not above 39 years of age for Chaplains/Imams.
(4) Have no criminal record.
(5) Candidates must meet the following minimum physical requirements:
(a) Minimum Height: Men 1.60m (5ft 3in); Women 1.52m (5ft).
(b) Minimum Weight: Men 54.55 kg (120 lb); 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.
(6) Medical. Candidates must be medically fit as per the KDF standards.
(7) Specialist Officers and Tradesmen/women. Should have a minimum of two (2) years practising experience in their field of specialization from the date of registration with the relevant regulatory/statutory body in Kenya.
(8) The selected potential candidates in every category will undergo final verification at designated KDF training institutions.

b. Minimum Academic Qualifications
(1) 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. The training period for this category will cover three (3) years leading to a BSc degree in Defence and Security Studies upon completion.

(2) General Service Officer (GSO) Cadet – Graduate. Must hold the minimum requirement to qualify as GSO Cadet – Regular specified in Para 3.b.(1) above and be a Bachelor’s degree holder from a recognized University/Institution in any of the disciplines specified under the vacancies listed in Para 4.b. The training period for this category will be fifteen (15) months.

(3) Specialist Officers. 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 in any of the disciplines specified under the vacancies listed in Para 4.c. Exemptions are for Chaplains/Imams who must hold a minimum mean grade of C+ (Plus) in KCSE and meet the qualifications specified in Para 4.c.(1). The training period for Specialist Officers will be six (6) months.

(4) Service Members (General Duty) Recruits. Must hold a minimum mean grade of D (Plain) in KCSE. Candidates who have successfully undergone NYS training and meet the general conditions in Para 3.a will have an added advantage.

(5) Tradesmen/women. Prospective candidates must satisfy the conditions and requirements given below:
(a) Diploma. 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.
(b) Certificate. 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.

(6) Constables. Candidates must be a retired KDF Service Member or a retired National Youth Serviceman/woman with the following requirements:
(a) 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.
(b) 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.

DOWNLOAD KDF ADVERT AND RECRUITMENT CENTERS PDF HERE

KDF-RECRUITMENT-2025-ADVERT-FINAL-14-SEP-25-FINAL