Nairobi legislators have urged Defence Cabinet Secretary Soipan Tuya to ensure fairness, equity, and non-discrimination in the ongoing Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) recruitment exercise.
In a statement dated September 16, 2025, Members of Parliament representing Nairobi’s 17 constituencies, Senator Edwin Sifuna, and the County Woman Representative, expressed concern over the allocation of only three recruitment centres for the entire county. They described the move as unfair to Nairobi residents.
“This consolidation of recruitment centres for over a dozen constituencies presents a logistical nightmare and stands in stark contrast to other counties, where recruitment centres are designated at the sub-county level, reflecting a more decentralized and equitable approach,” the MPs said.
Embakasi West MP Mark Mwenje warned that if the exercise is not decentralized to all sub-counties, the leaders may seek legal redress. Dagoretti North MP Beatrice Elachi added that Nairobi has long faced discrimination in government services and urged state agencies to fully operationalize their services across all 17 sub-counties.
Senator Edwin Sifuna echoed the sentiments, noting that Nairobi hosts the largest youth population in the country. He said KDF recruitment provides vital employment opportunities that must not be denied to the city’s youth.
In their signed statement to the Ministry, the legislators demanded a review of the recruitment plan and called for affirmative action to address the disparities. They gave the Ministry seven days to respond, failure to which they would take “immediate and decisive action.”
The Kenya Defence Forces officially announced the 2025 recruitment exercise on September 14, 2025, through their social media accounts. Positions advertised include General Service Officer (GSO) Cadets (Regular and Graduates), Specialist Officers, General Duty Recruits, Tradesmen and women, and Defence Forces Constables.
“The Kenya Defence Forces is pleased to announce to the public the 2025 Recruitment Drive,” the announcement read in part.
The recruitment drive will take place in October 2025. All eligible candidates are required to apply through the official KDF portal by October 12, 2025. Shortlisted applicants will be published in print media between October 21 and 24.
KDF has emphasized that the exercise is free of charge and warned candidates against giving bribes or engaging in corruption, saying anyone caught attempting to influence the process will face prosecution.
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