Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) – Recruitment for Various Positions in August and September 2023

Warning: Recruitment Drive is FREE – Beware of Malpractices

The Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) is excited to announce the recruitment of qualified individuals for multiple positions, including General Service Officer (GSO) Cadets (Regular and Graduate degree holders), Specialist Officers, General Duty Recruits, Tradesmen/women, and Defence Forces Constables. The recruitment process is scheduled to take place in August and September 2023.

Important Notice – Recruitment is FREE TO ALL Eligible Candidates

The KDF emphasizes that the recruitment process is entirely free for all eligible candidates. We strongly warn the public against engaging in malpractices or attempting to influence the recruitment process. Any suspicious activities or individuals should be reported to the nearest Police Station or Military Camp or call the following Hotline numbers: 0726419706/0726419709. Bribery and other corrupt acts are illegal, and those found culpable will face arrest and prosecution in a court of law. Remember, KDF recruitment is absolutely FREE TO ALL.

Conditions and Academic Qualifications

Prospective candidates willing to join the Kenya Defence Forces must meet specific conditions and academic qualifications as follows:

General Conditions

1. Be a Kenyan citizen.
2. Hold a valid Kenyan National Identity (ID) Card. Bring original and four (4) copies of National ID Card, KRA PIN Certificate, and Academic certificates.
3. Age requirements:
   • GSO Cadets and General Duty Recruits: Between 18 and 26 years.
   • Specialist Officers and Tradesmen/women: Not above 30 years.
   • Chaplains/Imams: Not above 39 years.
4. Have no criminal record.
5. Meet minimum physical requirements:
   • Minimum Height: Men 1.60m (5ft 3in), Women 1.52m (5ft).
   • Minimum Weight: Men 54.55 kg (120 lb), Women 50.00 Kg (110 lb).
   • Body Mass Index (BMI) MUST be below 30.
6. Female candidates must NOT be pregnant at the time of Recruitment and during the entire duration of training.
7. Medical fitness and healthy skin devoid of large or deep scars and tattoos are required.
8. Specialist Officers and Tradesmen/women should have a minimum of two (2) years practicing experience in their field of specialization from the date of registration with the relevant regulatory/statutory body in Kenya.

Minimum Academic Qualifications

1. General Service Officer (GSO) Cadets:
   • Must have 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 Degree Holders:
   • Must fulfill the minimum requirements for GSO Cadet as mentioned above.
   • Must be a Bachelor’s degree holder from a recognized University/Institution. The training period for this category will be fifteen (15) months.
3. Specialist Officers:
   • Must fulfill the minimum requirements for GSO Cadet as mentioned above, except for Chaplains/Imams, who must have a minimum mean grade of C+ (Plus) in KCSE.
   • Must be a degree holder from a recognized University/Institution and be registered with a regulatory/statutory body where applicable in any of the specified disciplines.
4. General Duty Recruits:
   • Must have a minimum mean grade of D (Plain) in KCSE.
5. Tradesmen/women:
   • Prospective candidates must satisfy the following conditions and requirements:
     • Diploma: A minimum mean grade of C (Plain) in KCSE, a relevant Diploma or above from a recognized institution, and registration with relevant statutory bodies where applicable.
     • Certificate: A minimum mean grade of D+ (Plus) in KCSE and a relevant Certificate with Government Trade Test Grade II or Craft II from a recognized institution.
     • National Youth Service (NYS): NYS trained Technicians or Artisans who meet the above requirements are encouraged to apply.

Additionally, the KDF will conduct recruitment of potential National Youth Service (NYS) personnel from 18 to 22 September, 2023 at Embakasi Garrison, Nairobi. Candidates who have completed NYS training and meet the prescribed KDF recruitment criteria are to present themselves for consideration. Candidates with the following technical qualifications have added advantage:

Plant Mechanics, Plant Technicians, Plant Electricians, Plant Operators General Plumbers, Masonry, Electricals and Electronics, Welders and Carpentry.

6) Constables

(a) Be a retired Kenya Defence Forces Service Member or a retired National Youth Serviceman/woman.

(b) Be between the ages of 30 and 55 years old for retired KDF Service Members and between 35 and 45 years old for retired NYS Serviceman/woman.

(c) Possess a Discharge Certificate with a minimum rating of “Very Good” in conduct.

(d) Must have served for nine (9) years Color Service and retired honorably from KDF.

a. General Service Officer (GSO) Cadets

b. General Service Officer (GSO) Cadets – Graduate Degree Holders

1. Archivist: Must hold a Bachelor’s degree in Information Management & Archiving or Records & Information Management and Archiving or Library and Information Science.
2. Education: Must hold a Bachelor’s degree in Education Arts or Science specializing in either Geography, History, Music, Physics or Biology.
3. Engineering: Must hold a Bachelor’s degree in Quantity Survey, Marine, Mechanical, Civil/Structural, Aeronautical/Aerospace/Space, Electrical & Electronics, Telecommunications, Architecture, Mechatronics.
4. Environmental Science/Engineering: Must hold a Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Science, Environmental Health & Safety or any other related field.
5. Finance/Business Management: Must hold a Bachelor’s degree in Commerce, Accounting, Finance, Audit, Entrepreneurship Marketing, Supply Chain Management, Procurement, Purchases, Human Resource Management, Public Relations.
6. Hospitality/Catering/Food Production: Must hold a Bachelor’s degree in: Hospitality Management, Food Production and/or Catering.
7. Information and Communications Technology (ICT): Must hold a Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science/IT/Computer Engineering (System Admin/Auditor, Software Developer, Networking/Fiber Optics, System Audit/Analyst, Database Management, Cyber Security & Forensics, Applied Statistics, Hardware Engineering/developer, Network Administrator.
8. Mass Communication: Must hold a Bachelor’s degree in Media and Mass Communications.
9. Library: Must hold a Bachelor’s degree in Library Studies and Information Science.
10. Security/Disaster Management: Must hold a Bachelor’s degree in Criminology, Disaster Management, Security Studies, Forensics, Peace and Conflict Studies, Document Examination, Ballistic Studies, or related fields.
11. Social Work: Must hold a Bachelor’s degree in Community Development.
12. Any Science or Humanities in related fields as above.

c. Specialist Officers

1. Chaplaincy: Must hold a Bachelor’s degree in Theology/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.
2. Education Officer: Must hold a Bachelor’s degree in Education.
3. Engineers: Must hold a Bachelor’s degree in Civil/Structural/Modular & Other Maritime works, Electrical/Electronics, Mechanical, Quantity Survey, Quality Assurance (Inspection).
4. Information and Communications Technology: Must hold a Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science/IT/Computer Engineering, Cyber Security & Forensics, Information Security & Forensics).
5. Supply Chain Management: Must hold a Bachelor’s degree in Purchasing and Supplies Management and/or Procurement and Logistics.
6. Mass Communication: Must hold a Bachelor’s degree majoring in Public Affairs, Broadcast Journalism, or Digital Journalism.
7. Legal: Must hold a Bachelor’s of Laws degree (LL.B) from a recognized University, be an Advocate of the High Court of Kenya, hold a current and valid Practicing Certificate. Certified Public Secretary (CPS) will be an added advantage.
8. Library: Must hold a Bachelor’s degree in Library Studies and Information Science.
9. Medical: Must hold a Bachelor’s degree in Dental Surgery, Medicine and Surgery, Clinical Medicine, Pharmacy, Medical Laboratory, Biomedical Engineering, Nutrition & Dietetics, Nursing, Physiotherapy, Counseling/Counseling Psychology, Public/Environmental Health, Health Records & Information Management, Radiology & Imaging.
10. Sports Management: Must be a holder of a Bachelor’s degree in Sports Science.
11. Security/Disaster Management: Must hold a Bachelor’s degree in Criminology or related fields.

d. Tradesmen/Women (Diploma Holders)

1. Band/Music: Must hold a Diploma in Music.
2. Catechists/Maalims: Must hold a Diploma in Catechetical Studies, Religious Studies in Catechists & Pastoral Ministry, Islamic Studies/Sharia, or equivalents.
3. Education: Must hold a Diploma in Education.
4. Engineering: Must hold a Diploma in Electrical & Instrument, Refrigeration & Air Con, Automotive (Vehicle Technician/Electrician), Mechanical (Plant/Crane Operator/Boiler), Aeronautical (Airframes & Engines), Electrical & Electronics, Radar/Radio/Telecommunication/ Power), Land Survey and Cartography.
5. Information and Communications Technology: Must hold a Diploma in Computer Science/Engineering (System Admin, Software Developer, Web Design, Networking/Fiber Optics, System Audit/Analyst, Hardware & Repair, Data/Information Management/Statistics, Cyber Security & Forensics, Information Security & Forensics).
6. Mass Communication: Must hold a diploma in Journalism, Graphic Design, Animation, Sound and light Engineering, Audio Visual production, and photography.
7. Medical: Must hold a Diploma in Clinical Medicine, Kenya Registered Clinical Health Nurse (KRCHN), Medical Laboratory Technology, Occupational Therapy, Laundry Technician, Social Workers, Mortician, Pharmacy, Medical Health Records, Public Health, Counseling/Psychology, Analytical Chemistry, Bio Med, Community Oral Health, Radiology & Imaging, Physiotherapy, Dental Technology, Nutritionist, and Optometrist.
8. Paralegal: Must hold a Diploma in Law or Legal Studies and have a minimum of two (2) years’ experience.
9. Security/Disaster Management: Must hold a Diploma in Criminology, Document Examination, Ballistic Studies, or related fields.
10. Sports Management: Must hold a Diploma in Sports Administration/Management and Fitness Administration and Management.

e. Artisans (Certificate Holders)

1. Automotive Electrician: Must hold a Craft/Certificate in Automotive Electrician.
2. Carpentry: Must hold a Craft/Certificate in Carpentry.
3. Catering: Must hold a Craft/Certificate in Catering & Hotel/Hospitality Accommodation Management.
4. Electrical: Must hold a Craft/Certificate in Electrical & Electronics Engineering.
5. Plant/Crane Operator: Must hold a Craft/Certificate in Plant Operations.
6. Plumbers: Must hold a Craft/Certificate in Plumbing/Pipe Fitting.
7. Tailors: Must hold a Craft/Certificate in Tailoring.
8. Vehicle Mechanics: Must hold a Craft/Certificate in Motor Vehicle Mechanics.
9. Welder/Fabricators/Fitters General: Must hold a Craft/Certificate in Welding/Fabricators technology.

Application Process

All interested candidates for Specialist Officers and Tradesmen/women vacancies MUST apply online. Visit https://applications.mod.go.ke to submit your application (from 30/07/2023). The deadline for applications for these categories is 20th August 2023. Shortlisted candidates will be notified through the print media between 17th to 24th September 2023. NOTE: All applications will be received online.

Recruitment Schedule

The KDF Recruiting Teams, consisting of the Kenya Army, the Kenya Air Force, and the Kenya Navy, will be visiting the Recruitment Centres on dates as indicated below to recruit General Service Officer (GSO) Cadets, General Service Officer Cadets – Graduate degree holders, General Duty Recruits, and Defence Forces Constabulary. (Kenya Defence Forces Verified accounts only).

Join us in serving our nation with pride and dedication as a member of the esteemed Kenya Defence Forces!