The government yesterday blew the whistle over a racket in which unsuspecting members of the public risked losing millions of shillings in fake military jobs.

In a statement, the Ministry of Defence warned of an ongoing racket in which online platforms, purporting to act on behalf of the Kenya Defense Forces (KDF) were inviting members of the public to participate in a military recruitment exercise starting next week.

“Our attention has been drawn to information circulating online regarding the recruitment process for the Kenya Defense Forces (KDF). The online platforms purport to advertise recruitment on behalf of KDF, and the announcements insinuate that application forms for recruitment of Service personnel and civilian employees of the Ministry and the exercise is claimed to begin on 26th August 2024 to 9th September 2024. Further, potential candidates are being urged to log onto the job portal.

Ironically, the advertisement warns the public against malpractices in the alleged recruitment process,” read the statement signed by an Assistant Director of Public Communications at the Defense ministry, Grace Mwanja.

Recruitment process

The ministry maintained that it had advertised for any recruitment process at this time, nor is it conducting any such exercise.
“This misleading information circulating on social media is intended to deceive and defraud unsuspecting Kenyans. It is important to note that KDF recruitment is free to al eligible candidates. The ministry urges Kenyans to remain vigilant and to avoid falling prey to such fraudulent schemes,’ Mwanja added.

The statement further emphasized that the official KDF recruitment drive will be announced through mainstream media channels, the ministry’s official website; www.mod.go.ke and KDF’s verified social media platforms, at the same urging members of the public to report any such schemes to the nearest police station or military camp.

“The public is encouraged to report any suspicious activities or individuals purporting to be recruiting for KDF to the nearest police station or military camp,” she warned.

The warning comes against the backdrop of many cases in which members of the public have lost millions of shillings to fraudsters purporting to be able to offer them jobs in the military or other disciplined forces.

Last year for instance, then Defence Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale was forced to explain why his ministry had decided to send messages to Kenyans over the KDF recruitment.

Fraudsters on the prowl

Duale, who has since ben moved to the Environment docket where he swapped places with Soipan Tuya, cautioned caution Kenyans not to fall victim of fraudsters who claim to be recruiting officers.

He said the move was to stop the unlawful dealings that have marred the recruitment exercise over the years, with hundreds of unsuspecting members of the public being conned of millions of shillings by fraudsters masquerading as recruitment officers or their agents.

“It is ironic that, the KDF, one of the most disciplined militaries in the world, has in the past had recruitment exercises marred with indiscipline and unlawful dealings such as bribery and favouritism.

“As we prepare to kick off the enrollment of new entrants into the KDF from next week, we have sent reminders via SMS and other communication platforms to all Kenyans as a cautionary measure against falling for fraudsters and charlatans masquerading as recruiting officers,” Duale said then.

Last year, then Defence Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale said the military recruitment drive shall be free, fair and above board for all qualified Kenyan youths.

He made an undertaking to have the recruitment paint a national picture by having military officers and service members selected from across the country and cautioned parents not to give any money to secure the slots.

There were fears that some marginalised groups may be left out of the drive.

KDF is seeking to hire General Service Officer (GSO) Cadets (Regular and Graduate degree holders), Specialist Officers, General Duty Recruits, Tradesmen/women, and Defence Forces Constables.

All interested candidates for Specialist Officers and Tradesmen/women vacancies must apply online.

“These individuals ask for huge amounts of money promising to have you recruited into the KDF. Once the monies have been paid to them they give fake letters or disappear for good,” he added, saying that such cases have been cropping up each time there was a recruitment exercise for not only the KDF but also in other disciplined forces.

The CS also sent a warning to serving military officers involved in the unlawful dealings saying they will be brought to book and the same will apply to anyone who will try to use underhand methods to have their kin recruited into the KDF.