Eighteen Members of Parliament from Nairobi have raised concerns over the upcoming Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) 2025 recruitment exercise, saying it discriminates against the capital’s residents.
In a statement dated September 16, and led by Embakasi West MP and Minority Whip Mark Mwenje, the lawmakers said the allocation of just three centres for Nairobi’s 17 constituencies is unjust.
According to the itinerary, Nyayo Stadium will serve applicants from Embakasi (East, West, North, South), Kamukunji, Makadara and Starehe. Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani, will cater to recruits from Kasarani, Ruaraka, Mathare and Roysambu, while Jamhuri Grounds has been set aside for Dagoretti (North and South), Lang’ata, Kibra and Westlands.
The MPs argue that this consolidation is unfair compared to other counties where sub-counties each have designated centres. They warn the move risks logistical chaos, long queues, and heightened security concerns in Nairobi due to its high population density.
“The allocation for recruitment in Nairobi should be commensurate with its share of the national population,” the statement read in part. “The current plan is an affront to the constitutional right to equal opportunity.”
The legislators now demand that KDF establish centres in all 17 constituencies, giving the Ministry of Defence seven days to respond, or they will escalate the matter.
KDF had announced the October recruitment on September 15, targeting General Service Officer (GSO) cadets, Specialist Officers, Tradesmen and women, and professionals in sectors such as ICT, law, engineering, and mass communication. The military says successful candidates will undergo rigorous training to enhance discipline, patriotism, and technical competence.
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