The Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) has announced that it will conduct a nationwide recruitment exercise in October 2025, targeting various categories of recruits.

In a notice released on Sunday, September 14, 2025, KDF stated that the exercise will cover the recruitment of the General Service Officers (GSO) cadets – regular and graduate, Specialist Officers, General Duty Recruits, Tradesmen and Women, and Defence Forces Constables.

Interested candidates are encouraged to visit the KDF recruitment website and make applications before October 12, 2025.

Shortlisted candidates will be notified through print media between October 21 and  October 24.

According to KDF, it will deploy recruiting teams drawn from the Kenya Army, Kenya Air Force, and Kenya Navy to recruit General Duty Recruits and Defence Forces Constables at designated recruitment centers across the country.

The military emphasized the need for interested and qualified individuals to follow the necessary guidelines, noting that applications will strictly be received online.

“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 to submit their application,” read part of the KDF statement.

“The timeline for applications is 12th October 2025. Shortlisted candidates will be notified through the print media between 21st and 24th October 2025,” it added.

Qualifications

For one to qualify for the recruitment, he/ she must be a Kenyan and have their original and copies of their  National ID Card, KRA PIN, and academic certificates.

For GSO cadets and General Duty Recruits, the age should be between 18 and 26 years, for specialist officers and Tradesmen/women, the age should not be above 30 years, while for chapels and Imams, one should not be above 39 years.

The minimum academic qualification for GSO cadets, regular, includes a minimum mean grade of B(plain) in KCSE with C+ in English, Maths, and one Science subject. The training period for this category will be three years.

For the GSO cadet or graduate, one must hold a degree from a recognised university and be not more than 30 years of age. The training period for this category will be  15 months.

Specialist officers should hold a bachelor’s degree from a recognised university or institution and be registered with the relevant bodies depending on their specialities.

Individuals interested in Tradesmen/Women positions in the military should have a Minimum KCSE mean grade of C (Plain) or a Diploma/Certificate in relevant trades, while for Defence Forces Constables, one must be a retired KDF service member below 52 years, or retired NYS personnel between 35–45 years, with a minimum KCSE grade of D (Plain).