Hundreds of youth locked out of KDF recruitment in Garissa

Lack of proper documentations locked out hundreds of youths who turned up for the Kenyan Defense Forces (KDF) recruitment exercise held at the Garissa primary school playground.

Among the  requirements are academics, KRA pin, certificate of good conduct among other requirements.

Abdi Hassan one of those who turned up said that he was locked out for lacking his KCPE certificate.

“I had everything but only lacked my KCPE certificate which I never thought would be required here. I am extremely disappointed,” he said.

Mohamed Abdullahi on his part regretted that a mix-up in his names had locked him out.

"The names in my birth certificate are not in the same order as those in my KCSE certificate, hence locking me out. This is very unfortunate,” he said.

Amina Hussein, one of the few ladies who did not meet the criteria, said she had not attained enough kilos required. She had 48 kgs, two kgs less than the minimum 50 kgs required.

As anticipated only five girls turned up for the recruitment compared to their male counterparts.

Addressing the press, senior recruitment officer in charge of Garissa Lt. Colonel James Okumu said that the turnout was ‘good’ but most of the candidates did not meet the minimum education qualifications whereas others were eliminated on medical grounds.

He said only those who meet the set minimum requirements will be given a fair chance to join the KDF.

“The doctors observed that most of the candidates had issues to do with their dental and skin. These aspects eliminated the candidates,” Lt. Colonel Okumu said.

“Majority of the school leavers did not meet the minimum education qualifications. Some have not picked their certificates from their former schools. KDF gives equal opportunities to all Kenyans,” he added.

He said about 10 males and two females will be picked in the exercise that kicked off yesterday and will run up to September 8. 

The KDF recruitment drive is looking to enlist General Service Officer (GSO) Cadets (both regular and graduate degree holders), Specialist Officers, General Duty Recruits, Tradesmen and Women, and Defence Forces Constables.

Vice Chief of the Defense Forces, Lieutenant General Jonah Mwangi, while addressing journalists at the Defense Forces Headquarters in Hurlingham, Nairobi emphasised the importance of diversity within the KDF.

He said the recruitment is necessary to address human resource and capacity gaps within the military.

Lieutenant General Mwangi called upon the public to uphold the KDF’s values and report any suspicious activities related to the recruitment process on hotline numbers (0726419709 or 0726419706).

Successful candidates in the cadet category will proceed to the Kenya Military Academy in Lanet, Nakuru County, for further processing.

Meanwhile, confirmed General Duty Recruits and Tradesmen and Women will attend training at the Kenya Defense Forces Recruit Training School in Eldoret, Uasin Gishu County.