The Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) has opened applications for its December 2026 recruitment exercise, targeting prospective officers, university graduates, general duty recruits and skilled professionals across various disciplines.
In a recruitment notice on Thursday, November 12, KDF said the recruitment drive will be conducted by the Kenya Army, Kenya Air Force and Kenya Navy at designated centres nationwide between December 14 and December 28.
“The in-person recruitment exercise will run from December 14 to 28, with candidates expected to present themselves at centres listed in the recruitment itinerary. Those seeking to join as cadets, specialist officers and tradesmen and women are required to apply online,” KDF said.
KDF recruitment schedule and centres
The nationwide recruitment exercise will begin on December 14, with subsequent sessions scheduled for December 15 to 19, December 21 to 24 and December 28.
Interested applicants are required to present themselves at recruitment centres across several counties, including Nairobi, Kiambu, Nakuru, Mombasa, Kisumu, Garissa, Turkana, Mandera, Meru, Kakamega and Bungoma.
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In Nairobi, candidates can present themselves at Nyayo Stadium in Lang’ata, Dandora Stadium in Embakasi North, Visions Ground/Makao Bora in Embakasi South and Kawangware Primary School in Dagoretti North.
Other designated venues include Kasarani MISC in Kasarani, Tena Grounds in Embakasi West, Riruta/Ndararua Stadium in Dagoretti South, Jamhuri Grounds in Kibra, Jacaranda Grounds in Embakasi East and Pumwani Playground in Starehe.
Applicants have been advised to consult the official recruitment itinerary to confirm the dates and locations applicable to their respective areas.
General duty recruits: academic and physical requirements
KDF requires general duty recruit applicants to be Kenyan citizens aged between 18 and 26 years, possess valid national identity cards and have attained a minimum KCSE mean grade of D plain.
Candidates who have completed National Youth Service training and satisfy the military’s recruitment conditions will receive additional consideration.
Applicants must also demonstrate physical fitness, meet the prescribed medical standards and have no criminal record.
The minimum height requirement is 1.60 metres for male candidates and 1.52 metres for female applicants.
Men must weigh at least 54.55 kilogrammes, while women are required to have a minimum weight of 50 kilogrammes.
Candidates must also fall within a body mass index range of 18.5 to 30.0. Female applicants must not be pregnant during recruitment and throughout the training period.
Requirements for GSO cadets and graduate officers
The military has set higher academic qualifications for candidates seeking admission as Regular GSO Cadets.
Applicants must have attained a KCSE mean grade of B plain, with at least a C+ in English, Mathematics and one science subject.
Successful candidates will undertake three years of military training, culminating in a Bachelor of Science degree in Defence and Security Studies.
Graduate cadets are also required to satisfy the prescribed KCSE standards and possess a bachelor’s degree in an advertised discipline from a recognised university or institution. Their training programme will last 15 months.
The advertised academic disciplines include engineering, education, finance, business management, human resource management, geology, disaster management and security studies.
Other eligible fields include geographical information systems, hospitality, information and communications technology, strategic communication, library studies, sports management, strategic management, public administration and agroforestry.
Specialist Officer vacancies
KDF is also seeking professionals to serve as Specialist Officers in various departments.
Applicants must satisfy the academic requirements for Regular GSO Cadets, hold relevant university qualifications and possess professional registration where applicable.
The advertised opportunities cover chaplaincy, legal services, medical services and specialist consultant positions.
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Medical consultants seeking employment must have a Master of Medicine qualification in either internal medicine or radiology.
Successful Specialist Officers will undergo seven months of military training.
Tradesmen and women recruitment
The recruitment exercise also targets diploma and certificate holders with technical and professional skills needed within the military.
Available opportunities include music, education, engineering, information and communications technology, strategic communication, health technology, legal studies, vehicle mechanics, cartography and laundry technology.
Additional vacancies at certificate level include automotive electricians, carpenters, masons, electricians, plant and crane operators, tailors, welders, painters, caterers, plumbers and truck drivers.
Applicants for truck driver positions must possess a valid National Transport and Safety Authority licence in class BCE.
KDF has further stipulated that Specialist Officers and Tradesmen and Women must have at least two years of relevant professional experience, calculated from the date of registration with the applicable Kenyan regulatory or statutory body.
How to apply for KDF recruitment 2026
Candidates interested in joining the military as GSO Cadets, Specialist Officers or Tradesmen and Women are required to submit their applications online through the Ministry of Defence recruitment portal.
Applications can be made through https://recruit.mod.go.ke. The deadline for online applications is December 12, 2026.
The military said shortlisted candidates will be announced through the Ministry of Defence website and print media between December 21 and December 25.
General duty recruits, meanwhile, are expected to attend the physical recruitment exercise at their designated centres on the scheduled dates.
KDF has reiterated that its recruitment process is free and accessible to all applicants who satisfy the stipulated qualifications.
It further cautioned prospective candidates against paying individuals or intermediaries claiming they can secure military positions or influence the selection process.
The military said offering bribes or participating in corrupt practices to obtain recruitment opportunities constitutes a criminal offence.
Individuals found involved in recruitment fraud or other forms of malpractice will face arrest and prosecution.
“Biometric verification shall be the sole method of identification and verification during the recruitment exercise and on reporting for training,” KDF said.
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