KDF Announces 2026 Recruitment Drive: See Requirements, Qualifications and Application Deadlines.

In a notice issued on Thursday, November 12, KDF said it would recruit General Service Officer cadets, Specialist Officers, General Duty Recruits, and Tradesmen and Women.

Regular General Service Officer cadet applicants must be aged 18 to 23 and have a Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education mean grade of B plain, with at least C plus in English, Mathematics and a science subject.

Graduate cadets must meet the same secondary school requirements, hold a relevant bachelor's degree and be aged 18 to 26. Their training will last 15 months.

Specialist Officer applicants must be aged 30 or below, possess relevant university degrees and have at least two years of practical experience. Professional registration is required where applicable.

General Duty Recruits must be aged 18 to 26 and have a minimum KCSE mean grade of D plain. Previous National Youth Service training may offer an advantage.

Tradesmen and women must be aged 18 to 26. Diploma holders need at least C minus, while certificate applicants require D plus alongside relevant professional qualifications.

All applicants must be Kenyan citizens with valid national identity cards, clean criminal records, and the required medical and physical fitness.

Physical recruitment for General Duty Recruits will run from December 14 to December 28 at designated centres across the country.

The exercise will cover counties in phases, including Nairobi, Mombasa, Kisumu, Nakuru, Garissa, Turkana, Bungoma, Meru, Kiambu, Kakamega, Kilifi, Machakos, Nyeri and Wajir.

Other centres will serve applicants in Embu, Kirinyaga, Nandi, Taita Taveta and Tharaka-Nithi, among other counties in the official schedule.

Applicants should attend centres assigned to their areas and carry the required identification and academic documents.

Applications for cadets, Specialist Officers, and Tradesmen and Women must be submitted online through the Ministry of Defence recruitment portal by December 12, 2026.

The deadline gives interested candidates limited time to confirm their eligibility and complete their applications.