Kenya Military/ KDF recruitment kicks off

The 2014 KDF recruitment kicked off on Monday and military officials have warned that it will not be business as usual for personnel soliciting bribes and candidates seeking favors.

The KDF recruitment exercise started in 15 of all 47 counties on Monday. From physical fitness, height, weight and age conditions to meet, prospective candidates went through the drill. For one month, 16 recruiting teams will conduct the exercise in 288 districts across Kenya’s 47 counties.

Claims of political interference, unequal distribution of slots among districts and corruption have marred the Kenya Military recruitment exercise in previous years. The vice chief of KDF, LT Gen Samson Mwathethe has cautioned many young people wishing to join KDF not to fall prey to fraudsters who masquerade as military officers with powers to employ

For many young Kenyans, the quest to join the military has been a costly affair due to corruption in the KDF. In 2012 alone, prospective candidates were conned Sh 7 million by 12 KDF personnel who claimed they would get them jobs with the military. In 2011, 6 KDF officers obtained more than Sh 7.5  million in bribes from 30 Kenyans who wanted to join the army.  The 2011 figure was more then twice that of 2010 where 23 KDF officers received more than Sh 17 million as bribes from 38 civilians.

In the above corruption cases, 48 military personnel who were involved in the scheme have either been sacked or charged in court. More than 100 civilians who issued bribes during various KDF recruitment exercises have also been arraigned in court. This year, KDF has warned its personnel who may want to make some extra money through the recruitment as well as civilians who may want to be favored.  LT Gen Samson Mwathethe said on Monday that harsh, appropriately swift disciplinary action will be taken on officers and civilians involved in fraud

At least 2,500 candidates will be recruited this year. KDF has said it has put measures to  ensure the exercise is free and fair