The Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) has unleashed a massive, countrywide recruitment drive, offering thousands of ambitious young Kenyans the chance to join the military and secure their future!
But you’ll have to be QUICK and CLEVER—the application window for some of the most sought-after officer and specialist roles slams shut on October 12, 2025!
THE GOLDEN TICKET: WHO THEY ARE LOOKING FOR
The KDF is hunting for top talent across four major categories, from raw recruits to highly skilled professionals:
- General Service Officer (GSO) Cadets: The future officers of the Army, Navy, and Air Force.
- Specialist Officers & Tradesmen/Women: Think doctors, engineers, ICT wizards, lawyers, teachers, and caterers—but in uniform!
- General Duty Recruits: The backbone of the KDF, ready for immediate training.
- Defence Forces Constables: Seeking retired, experienced KDF and National Youth Service (NYS) members.
DO YOU HAVE WHAT IT TAKES? THE TOUGH REQUIREMENTS
Before you dream of serving the nation, you must meet the STRICT KDF requirements. They aren’t taking just anyone:
📢 THE MUST-HAVE GENERAL CHECKLIST
- Citizenship: You must be a Kenyan citizen with a valid National ID Card.
- Age Limits:
- GSO Cadets & General Duty Recruits: 18 to 26 years old.
- Specialist Officers & Tradesmen/Women: Not above 30 years old.
- Criminal Record: You MUST have a clean criminal record.
- Physical Standards: You must be medically fit with a BMI below 30.
- Men: Minimum height 1.60m (5ft 3in) and minimum weight 54.55 kg.
- Women: Minimum height 1.52m (5ft 0in) and minimum weight 50.00 kg.
- Warning for Women: Female candidates MUST NOT be pregnant at the time of recruitment or during the entire training period.
🎓 ACADEMIC QUALIFICATIONS BREAKDOWN
The academic bar is set high, especially for officers:
| Category | Minimum Academic Requirement |
| GSO Cadets (Regular) | Mean Grade B (Plain) in KCSE, with C+ (Plus) in English, Mathematics, and one Science subject. |
| General Duty Recruits | Only a Minimum Mean Grade of D (Plain) in KCSE is required! |
| Specialist Officers | Must hold a relevant Bachelor’s Degree and meet the GSO KCSE grade (or C+ for Chaplains/Imams). You also need to be registered with the relevant statutory body. |
| Tradesmen/Women | Diploma Holders need a C (Plain) in KCSE. Certificate Holders need D+ (Plus) in KCSE plus a Trade Test Grade II/Craft II. |
HOW TO APPLY BEFORE IT’S TOO LATE!
The application process is split, so pay close attention to your dream role:
1. Online Applications (Deadline: October 12, 2025)
If you are applying for GSO Cadets, Specialist Officers, or Tradesmen/Women, you MUST apply online:
- Go to the official KDF recruitment portal: https://recruit.mod.go.ke
- Fill in all your personal and academic information.
- Upload copies of your documents (ID, KRA PIN, Academic Certificates).
- The deadline for submission is October 12, 2025!
2. Physical Recruitment (October 13–25, 2025)
Candidates for General Duty Recruits and Defence Forces Constables will be recruited in-person at designated sub-county centres across the country between October 13 and October 25, 2025. You must show up on the specified date for your sub-county.
🚫 KDF’S STERN WARNING: ZERO TOLERANCE FOR BRIBERY
The Ministry of Defence has issued a LOUD AND CLEAR warning: The entire KDF recruitment process is FREE. Do not pay a single shilling to anyone promising you a slot. Bribery is a criminal offence that will lead to your immediate disqualification and prosecution.
