Recruitment of Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) officers entered day two yesterday with various stations where the exercise was conducted reporting low turnout.

Prospective recruits were undertaken through rigorous physical exercises and medical examinations to determine interviewees’ suitability to join the army.

Recruiting officers were on high alert in a bid to curb malpractices usually witnessed as participants jostled for opportunities to join KDF.

Before the start of the recruitment process, KDF warned members of the public against bribery through Short Message Service (SMS) where on Monday, KDF top brass reiterated that any corrupt case will be dealt with firmly during the exercise that runs until September 8. KDF targets to recruit; officer cadets and KDF constables.

There was a low turnout during the first day of the KDF recruitment exercise in Suna East, Migori County with only 350 participants. The KDF recruiting officer for Migori Lt Daniel Baraza acknowledged that the process was successful with no cases of personification or falsification of documents or attempt to bribe.

The officer also disclosed that there were no cases of medical complications among the participants. Barasa however, noted that there were a few reported cases of people who came to the wrong station of recruitment.

He acknowledged that the public was already informed and aware of where and when the recruitment exercise would be taking place across the eight constituencies for the whole week. Barasa however, urged the youths to come out in large numbers to try their luck affirming that the process was free and fair.

In West Pokot County, hundreds of youth turned up in Makutano Stadium for the exercise.

According to the senior recruitment officer, Lt  Kanon Odunga there was average turnout in most of the stations.

“We’ve not witnessed any malpractice so far, all potential recruits are being given equal chance to try their chance.  We call on residents to be wary of fraudsters in the exercise,” said Odunga. Kapenguria ward Member of County Assembly (MCA) Richard Mastaluk called for fairness and lack of biases in the exercise.

“We are happy about the way the exercise has been conducted so far. Hope this will continue like this to its conclusion,” said Mastaluk.The same case was witnessed in Nandi County where hundreds turned up for the exercise at the Kapsabet Agricultural Society of Kenya (ASK) showgrounds.