The Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) has announced a mass recruitment exercise set to begin in the month of October.

In a statement on Sunday, September 14, 2025, KDF noted that the recruitment drive will seek to enlist the services of general service officers (regular cadets, graduate cadets, specialist officers, tradespeople and KDC constables.

“KDF emphasised that the month-long exercise will be conducted across the country to give qualified Kenyans an opportunity to join the service.

“The Kenya Defence Force (KDF) is pleased to announce to the public the recruitment of General Service Officer Cadet Regular, General Service Officer Cadet Graduate, Specialist Officers, General Duty Recruits, Tradesmen and Women and Defence Forces Constables. The recruitment will take place in October 2025,” KDF stated.

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Police recruitment

The exercise comes just days after the government confirmed that 10,000 new police constables will also be recruited this year. President William Ruto had earlier revealed that the police recruitment would take place in September 2025. Successful applicants will report for training on November 17, 2025.

This marks one of the biggest recruitment exercises in recent years.

For the first time, all applications for police recruits will be done online through the official National Police Service Commission portal. The move is aimed at locking out middlemen and ensuring that only genuine applicants are considered.

Reforms

The commission has also introduced reforms to make the process fair, open and free from corruption. Among the changes is a strict directive that recruitment activities must end by 4 pm. The names of successful candidates will be published immediately, while medical examinations will be conducted at police training schools instead of local centres.

Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen has cautioned Kenyans against offering or giving bribes during the recruitment. He said the process will be closely monitored by independent observers, including religious leaders and community representatives, to guarantee fairness.

“These reforms are meant to assure Kenyans that recruitment will be transparent. No one should pay a bribe. Anyone found engaging in corruption will face the law,” Murkomen warned.