On September 17, 2025 Embakasi West MP and Minority Whip, Mark Muriithi Mwenje dated a letter to demand change in 2025 Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) recruitment advertisment which was published on September 14, 2025.

The letter was directed to Defence Cabinet Secretary Hon. Soipan Tuya to check and review the recruitment plan to meet the constitution demands of equality, fairness and non-discriminatory.

“This letter is a formal demand for immediate corrective action to ensure the recruitment exercise adheres to the principles of equity, fairness, and non-discrimination as enshrined in the Constitution of Kenya,” said Mwenje.

Concerns Over Recruitment Centres

In a formal letter, the KDF recruitment advertisment sidelined Nairobi constituents and they demand review on that.

According to Mwenje, the schedule for General Duty Recruits and Defence Forces Constables allocates a single recruitment centre, Nyayo Stadium to serve Embakasi Central, Embakasi East, Embakasi South, Embakasi West, Kamukunji, Makadara, and Starehe constituencies.

Similarly, Moi International Sports Center stadium, Kasarani is designated to serve Kasarani, Ruaraka, Mathare and Roysambu constituencies.

Jamhuri grounds is situated to serve Dagoretti North, Dagoretti South, Lang’ata, Kibra and Westlands constituencies.

Mwenje has stated that this consolidation is a logistical nightmare for a large dozen of people in Nairobi compared to other parts of the country where each sub-county have designated centres.

“This consolidation of recruitment centers for over a dozen constituencies presents a logistical nightmare and is in stark contrast to other counties, where recruitment centers are designated for each sub-county, reflecting a more decentralized and equitable approach,” said Mwenje.

This undermines Article 27 of the Kenyan Constitution that advocates for equality and protection from discrimination. Nairobi having over 5.7 million residents which is about 9.5 percent of country’s population deserves more centres.

What Measures MP Demand To Be Taken Quickly 

Review of Recruitment Centres: 

The Ministry of Defence must immediately review the recruitment plan for Nairobi County. Recruitment centers should be established in each of 17 Nairobi constituencies to ease congestion.

Affirmative Action: 

He called for the implementation of affirmative action programs and policies to address the disadvantages suffered by young people in urban areas due to limited opportunities and high population density as the Constitution of Kenya advocates for this.

He gave the Ministry of Defense seven days to address this concerns, failure to which it will invite consequences.

“We expect a formal reply to this demand within seven (7) days of the date of this letter. Failure to take immediate and decisive action on this matter will be seen as a deliberate act of discrimination,” said Mwenje.

Photo of MP Mark Mwenje during previous Parliament session. PHOTO/ Parliament of Kenya