The High Court has dismissed an application by three Nairobi legislators seeking to suspend the ongoing Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) recruitment exercise, citing public interest and national security concerns.
Justice Bahati Mwamuye ruled that halting the countrywide exercise, which began on October 13 and runs until October 25, would compromise Kenya’s defence readiness.
The petition, filed by Embakasi West MP Mark Mwenje, Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna, and Woman Representative Esther Passaris, challenged the allocation of only three recruitment centers to serve the county’s 17 sub-counties a move they termed discriminatory.
“The public interest would be significantly compromised if alleged non-compliance in one county halted the entire national recruitment,” Justice Mwamuye stated, noting that national security preparedness must be maintained at all times.
Meanwhile, the KDF has unveiled a fully digital recruitment system for the 2025 intake aimed at eliminating fraud and enhancing transparency. The system automates document verification, medical screening, and candidate notification to ensure fairness across all 47 counties.
Defence Cabinet Secretary Soipan Tuya reaffirmed the government’s zero-tolerance stance on corruption, warning applicants against offering bribes or using intermediaries. “This process is about identifying disciplined, patriotic Kenyans ready to serve with courage and integrity,” she said.
Lieutenant General John Omenda, Vice Chief of Defence Forces, also cautioned that any recruitment conducted outside the official schedule would be deemed illegal.
The 2025 exercise targets General Service Officer cadets, specialist officers, tradesmen and women, and Defence Forces constables, each category subject to academic, physical, and medical fitness requirements.
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