We've put up measures to curb graft during recruitment - KDF

Kenya Defence Forces chief recruitment officer Brigadier Mathew Lenamunai has assured the public that the recruitment exercise will be fair and transparent. 

During a presser on Monday, Lenamunai said there are measure in place to ensure no graft takes place for one to secure a spot in the army. 

"The Ministry of Defence is committed to delivering a transparent and accountable exercise. In this regard, any person purporting to have influence to recruit a potential candidate outside of the designated recruitment centres or mechanism stated in this briefing must be avoided," he said. 

He said since 2017, they have taken 80 cases to court over fraud.

"Out of this, 56 cases are being finalised," he said 

Lenamunai urged the public to desist from engaging in any fraudulent activities since it violates the values of the army, more so integrity. 

He said oversight measures have been put in place to ensure integrity is upheld throughout the recruitment process. 

"In support of this, oversight measures have been put in place encompassing the use of intelligence operatives, anti-corruption officers and the media,"Lenamunai said. 

Further, Lenamunai said Kenyans have a patriotic responsibility to ensure no graft takes place during the recruiting process. 

"More importantly we request wananchi in exercise of their patriotic mandate to volunteer information on any suspicious activity to the recruiting teams on the ground or call the mobile phone numbers 0726419709/0726419706," he said. 

Lenamunai said successful candidates at each recruitment centre will be notified immediately and issued with calling letters which among others informs the date and place where the candidate shall report for further processing. 

"The venues shall be the Kenya Military Academy at Lanet Nakuru county for the potential cadets and the Kenya Defence Recruits Training School in Eldoret for general duty recruits," he said. 

To the candidates hoping to be recruited, Lenamunai said they should be mindful that being part of the army is not a job, but rather, a calling. 

He said the men and women in uniform renew their commitment to serve the nation on a daily basis. 

Further, he gave assurance to the recruits that what they are about to undertake is a  worthwhile venture. 

Additionally, Lenamunai noted that there were cases of graft during last year's recruitment. 

"Many of these have been investigated and from our own side, we've had 56 cases which are being finalised and judgement is being given while others are still ongoing," Lenamunai said. 

He explained that it may take some time to finalise some cases as the graft is a criminal offense and as such, investigations are being conducted.