The Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) has announced the upcoming recruitment of General Service Officer (GSO) Cadets (Regular and Graduates), Specialist Officers, General Duty Recruits, Tradesmen/women and Defence Forces Constables, which is scheduled to take place in the month of October 2025.

In a notice on September 15, KDF warned that the recruitment drive is free and open to all eligible and qualified candidates.

“Engaging in bribery or any other form of corruption with the intent to influence the recruitment process is a criminal offence. Any individual found to be involved in recruitment-related malpractice will be arrested and prosecuted. The Public is urged to report any incidents of recruitment malpractice to the nearest Police Station or Military Camp or call the dedicated Hotline numbers: 0726419706/0726419709,” KDF said.

Prospective candidates willing to join the Kenya Defence Forces must meet the following conditions and academic qualifications.

General Conditions

Be a Kenyan citizen.
Be a holder of a valid Kenyan National Identity (ID) Card.
Additionally, candidates are required to bring their original documents together with four (4) copies of their National ID Card, KRA PIN Certificate and Academic Certificates.

Be within the following age brackets:

(a) Between 18 and 26 years for GSO Cadets (Regular and Graduates) and General Duty Recruits.

(b) Not above 30 years of age for Specialist Officers and Tradesmen/women.

(4) Have no criminal record.

(5) Candidates must meet the following minimum physical requirements:

(a) Minimum Height:

i. Men 1.60m (5ft 3in).

ii. Women 1.52m (5ft).

(b) Minimum Weight:

i. Men 54.55 kg (120 lb).

ii. Women 50.00 Kg (110 lb).

(d) Female candidates must not be pregnant at the time of recruitment and during the entire duration of training.

(6) Medical. Candidates must be medically fit as per the KDF standards.

(7) Specialist Officers and Tradesmen/women. Should have a minimum of two (2) years practising experience in their field of specialization from the date of registration with the relevant regulatory/statutory body in Kenya.

(8) The selected potential candidates in every category will undergo final verification at designated KDF training institutions.

Minimum Academic Qualifications

(1) General Service Officer (GSO) Cadets Regular

Must hold 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. Must hold the minimum requirement to qualify as GSO Cadet – Regular specified in Para

3.b.(1) above and be a bachelor’s degree holder from a recognized University/Institution in any of the disciplines specified under the vacancies listed in Para 4.b. The training period for this category will be fifteen (15) months.

(3) Specialist Officers. Must hold the minimum requirement to qualify as GSO Cadet – Regular specified in Para

3.b.(1), be a bachelor’s degree holder from a recognized University/Institution and be registered with a regulatory/ statutory body where applicable in any of the disciplines specified under the vacancies listed in Para 4.c.

Exemptions are for Chaplains/Imams who must hold a minimum mean grade of C+ (Plus) in KCSE and meet the qualifications specified in Para 4.c.(1). The training period for Specialist Officers will be six (6) months.

(4) Service Members (General Duty) Recruits. Must hold a minimum mean grade of D (Plain) in KCSE. Candidates who have successfully undergone NYS training and meet the general conditions in Para 3.a will have an added advantage.

(5) Tradesmen/women. Prospective candidates must satisfy the conditions and requirements given below.

(a) Diploma. A minimum mean grade of C (Plain) in KCSE, a relevant Diploma or above from a recognized institution and be registered with the relevant statutory bodies, where applicable.

(b) Certificate. A minimum mean grade of D+ (Plus) in KCSE and either a relevant Certificate with Government Trade Test Grade II or Craft II from a recognized institution.

(6) Constables. Candidates must be a retired KDF Service Member or a retired National Youth Serviceman/woman with the following requirements.

(a) Retired KDF Service Member. Be between the ages of 30 and 55 years old, possess a Discharge Certificate with a minimum rating of “Good” in conduct, must have served for nine (9) years Color Service and retired honorably from KDF.

(b) Retired NYS Serviceman/woman. Be between the ages of 35 and 45 years old, possess a Discharge Certificate with a minimum rating of “Good” in conduct.

Vacancies and Requirements

a. General Service Officer (GSO) Cadets – Regular.

b. General Service Officer (GSO) Cadets – Graduates

(1) Disaster Management/Security Studies. Must hold a.Bachelor’s degree in Criminology, Disaster Management, Security Studies, Forensics, Peace and Conflict Studies or related fields.

(2) Engineering. Must hold a bachelor’s degree in quantity Survey,

Mechanical, Civil/Structural, Aeronautical/Aerospace/Space, Electrical & Electronics, Telecommunications, Marine, Architecture, Mechatronics, Biochemistry, Environmental Science/Engineering, Urban and Regional Planning, Interior design, Nuclear Science, Facility Management or Construction Project management.

(3) Education. Must hold a B.Ed. Arts (Geography, History, Business studies, Economics, French or Arabic) or Master’s/Bachelors of Arts degree in Applied Linguistics (French, Arabic or Chinese Mandarin).

(4) Finance/Business and Human Resource Management.

Must hold a bachelor’s degree in commerce, Accounting, Finance, Audit, Entrepreneurship, Marketing, Supply Chain Management, Procurement and Contract Management or Human Resource Management.

(5) Geologist. Must hold a bachelor’s degree in Geology.

(6) GIS. Must hold a bachelor’s degree in GIS & Remote Sensing or Geospatial Engineering.

(7) Hospitality/Catering/Food Production. Must hold a bachelor’s degree in hospitality management, Food Production and/or Catering.

(8) Information and Communications Technology (ICT).

Must hold a bachelor’s degree in software Engineer/Developer, Hardware Engineer/Developer, Cyber Security, Information Security (Systems), Network Engineering, Artificial Intelligence & Robotics, Information Science or Applied Statistics.

(9) Strategic Communication. Must hold a bachelor’s degree in journalism, Mass Communications, Film Production or Graphic Design.

(10) Library. Must hold a bachelor’s degree in library studies and information science.

(11) Social Work. Must hold a bachelor’s degree in Community Development.

(12) Sports Management. Must be a holder of a Bachelor’s degree.in Sports Science.

Also Read: KDF Gives Update on Programme for Retired Soldiers

c. Specialist Officers

(1) Chaplaincy. Must hold a bachelor’s degree in theology or 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 recommendedby the Chief Kadhi.

(2) Engineers. Must hold a bachelor’s degree in Nautical Science, Marine/Naval Architecture, Architecture or Civil/Structural Engineering.

(3) Information and Communications Technology (ICT).

Must hold a bachelor’s degree in software engineering or Artificial Intelligence & Robotics.

(4) Strategic Communication. Must hold a bachelor’s degree in journalism, Mass Communications, Film Production or Graphic Design.

(5) Legal. Must hold a Bachelor’s of Law (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.

(6) Medical. Must hold a bachelor’s degree in dental surgery, Nursing or Medicine and Surgery.

(7) Finance Management. Must hold a bachelor’s degree in accounting, Finance, Banking or related fields.

d. Tradesmen/Women

(1) Diploma Holders

(a) Band/Music. Must hold a Diploma in Music.

(b) Catechists/Maalims. Must hold a Diploma in Theology, Catechetical Studies, Religious Studies in Catechists & Pastoral Ministry, Islamic Studies/Sharia or equivalent.

(c) Education. Must hold a Diploma in Education or Applied.Linguistics (French, Chinese Mandarin or Arabic). Qualifications in.Special Needs Education and Kenya Sign Language is an added advantage.

(d) Engineering. Must hold a Diploma in Architectural Technology.or Architecture, Automotive Engineering or Automotive Technology,.Aeronautical Engineering, Aircraft Maintenance Technology or

Aeronautical (Airframes & Engines), Technology in Biochemistry, Building Construction, Civil Engineering, Construction Management or Building Technology, Electrical & Instrumentation, Electrical & Electronics, Radar, Radio Technology, Telecommunication, Power, Geomatics Engineering, Geospatial Information Systems, Hydrographic Surveying, Land Survey or Cartography, Marine Engineering Technology (Shipwright), Marine Engineering, Mechanical Engineering (Plant, Crane Operator or Boiler), Material Science and Technology or Chemical Engineering, Project Management or Project Monitoring and Evaluation, Physical Planning or Urban Planning, Quantity Surveying, Refrigeration & Air Conditioning Technology, Water Engineering or Environmental Engineering.

Also Read: Details of KDF Civil-Military Cooperation in Boni & North Rift

(e) Finance/Business Management.

Must hold a Diploma in Accounting, Finance or Banking related fields. Qualifications in Certified Public Accounts and being a certified member of ICPAK is an added advantage.

(f) Information and Communications Technology (ICT).

Must hold a Diploma in Ethical Hacking, Forensics, Cyber Security, Computer Tech, Software Development, Web Design, System Audit or Artificial Intelligence & Robotics.

(g) Strategic Communication.

Must hold a Diploma in Journalism, Mass Communication, Audio Engineering, Media Production, Theatre Production, Film/Video Production, Media Studies, Graphic Design, Public Relations, Photography.

(h) Library. Must hold a Diploma in Library & Information Science.

(i) Medical. Must hold a Diploma in Kenya Registered Clinical Health Nurse (KRCHN), PharmTech, Medical Health Records, Community Oral Health (Dental Therapy) or Physiotherapy.

(2) Artisans (Certificate Holders)

(a) Automotive Electrician. Must hold a Craft/Certificate in Automotive Electrician.

(b) Carpentry. Must hold a Craft/Certificate in Carpentry.

(d) Electrical Installation. Must hold a Craft/Certificate in Electrical Installation.

(e) Plant/Crane Operator. Must hold a Craft/Certificate in Plant Operations.

(f) Plant Elect/Mech. Must hold a Craft/Certificate in Plant Elect/Mech/Tech.

(g) Tailors. Must hold a Craft/Certificate in Tailoring.

(h) Vehicle Mechanics. Must hold a Craft/Certificate in Motor Vehicle Mechanics.

(i) Welders/Fabricators/Fitters General. Must hold a.Craft/Certificate in Welding/Fabrication technology.

(j) Painting and Decoration. Must hold an artisan certificate in painting and decoration.

(k) Catering & Accommodation. Must hold a Craft/Certificate in Catering & Accommodation.

(l) Plumbing. Must hold a Craft/Certificate in Plumbing.

How to Apply

All interested candidates in the categories specified in Para 4 (General Service Officer Cadets (Regular and Graduates), Specialist Officers and Tradesmen/women) must apply online.

Visit: https://recruit.mod.go.ke to submit your application.

The deadline for applications is 12th October 2025. Shortlisted candidates will be notified through the print media between 21st and 24th October 2025. NOTE: All applications will be received online.

General Duty Recruits and Defence Forces Constables.

The KDF Recruiting Teams consisting of the Kenya Army, the Kenya Air Force and the Kenya Navy will recruit General Duty Recruits and Defence Forces Constables at the designated Recruitment Centres according to the itinerary indicated below:

The Kenya Army, Kenya Air Force, and Kenya Navy will recruit General Duty Recruits and Defence Forces Constables at designated recruitment centres and on specified dates. PHOTO/KDF.

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Nancy Osumba

I am Nancy Osumba, a literature student at Pwani University currently pursuing additional training in Mass Media and Communication. I am passionate about writing and have contributed health-focused articles to Standard Media. Beyond academics, I gained valuable organizational and leadership experience as Secretary at Sunflower Trust. My interests lie in combining media, communication, and literature to promote awareness and create positive social impact.