It is 2025, another year to anticipate Kenya’s defense forces’ Recruitment process more than the KDF Cadet Recruitment. So, is the KDF application form out? Is there any KDF Recruitment process in 2025? Well, these are just a few questions and others that this guide will attempt to make you understand.
The Kenyan defense forces were formed due to the conditions in Kenya in 2010. Moreover, it is the only military organization in Kenya with a mandate to protect the country from any external attacks, with its functions narrated in Article 241 (3) (a), (b) & (c) of the Constitution. The KDF comprises three compositions: the Kenyan Navy, Kenya Army, and Kenya Air Force. Within the whole army organization, ranks and insignia define every officer’s role in the army. These ranks start from the junior Most (Cadets), fresh recruits just from Training, to the seniormost rank of the Chief of Defense Forces, the only Four-star General in the whole army.
Who is a KDF cadet?
The rank of a KDF is very special to the whole hierarchy of the Kenyan defense force. The reason is that all officers, even those at the top of the hierarchy, once started as Cadets. They are the Junior most non-commissioned officers within the KDF Ranks. A KDF cadet comprises the General Service Officer (GSO) Cadets and a General Service Officer (GSO) Cadets with Undergraduate degrees.
Is there cadet Recruitment in Kenya 2025?
KDF cadet Recruitment is a yearly process that the Ministry of Defence announces through its official website (mod.go.ke) and Social media Pages such as Facebook and X(Formerly Twitter). However, whether there will be a KDF recruitment in 2025 remains unknown, considering the recruitment exercise did not happen in 2024. However, there are some confirmations from government officials that the process might happen in March 2025, but the exact dates are not known. The Last KDF recruitment to be announced was in 2023, with deadlines set for 20 August.
So, is the KDF Recruitment Form 2025 out? Well, to be straightforward, the quick answer is No. For now, all that any aspiring applicant can do is wait until the Ministry of Defence makes the official announcement. However, on December 15th, 2024, the Deputy president of the Republic of Kenya (Kithure Kindiki) disclosed that the government has plans to recruit at least 5,000 police officers.
”We have employed additional officers to the Kenya Defence Forces and even for that of police officers that had delays, we will be recruiting about 5,000 police officers in March. We are trying to create more job opportunities in the public sector and the informal sectors,” .
Kithure Kindiki
NOTE: Once we know when the KDF Cadet recruitment exercise will happen, this guide will continually be updated with the exact key dates. The recruitment exercise happens across all 47 counties of Kenya in various Sub counties.
KDF Cadet Positions
While the KDF GSO Cadet recruitment is open to all Kenyans, it is very important for those applying for undergraduate degree holders to know the positions usually advertised a year in and out. Undergraduate applicants should only apply for the recruitment exercise if they only have a degree from the following areas of study:
- Air Traffic Control
- Architecture
- Business Management
- Hospitality Management
- Actuarial Science
- Counselling Psychology
- Disaster Management
- Education (specific subjects)
- Various Engineering fields
- Environmental Science
- Geology
- Financial Management
- Fire Science
- Flight Safety
- Food Production
- Information Technology
- Media and Communication
- Law
- Library Science
- Meteorology
- Nutrition
- Oceanography
- Records Management
- Physical Education
- Criminology/Security Studies
- Sports Management
- Supply Chain Management
- Survey
- Textile Manufacturing Engineering
Cadet Qualifications in Kenya
The first process of being a cadet officer starts with meeting the eligibility criteria. They include:
- Must be a Kenyan citizen with no dual citizenship
- Must possess a valid Kenyan National Identity Card (ID) and PIN Certificate (4 copies required)
- The age requirement is between 18 and 26 years old
- Must be physically and medically fit according to KDF standards
- Must have no criminal record
- The Minimum height requirement is aust and as follows
- Minimum Height for Men: 1.60m (5ft 3in)
- Minimum Height for Women: 1.52m (5ft)
- Minimum Weight for Men: 54.55 Kg (120 lb)
- Minimum Weight for Women: 50.00 Kg (110 lb)
- Female candidates must NOT be pregnant during recruitment and the entire training duration
- The academic requirements demand an applicant to have a minimum mean grade of B (Plain) in KCSE for undergraduates and must also have a C+ in English, Mathematics, and One science Subject
How to Apply for KDF Recruitment for Cadets
The whole process of KDF recruitment is conducted via the KDF recruitment portal, but only for Specialist Officers and Tradesmen positions. However, for those focusing on the cadet position, Recruitment is done through Various Physical centers located across all the sub-counties of all 47 counties of Kenya.
Once the Recruitment process is complete, you will need to visit these centers personally, but remember to carry all the required documents (Originals and copies). Candidates who have met the requirements will be considered. You are also not required to pay any fees, as the Recruitment process is actually free to all. If you are caught engaging in such activities, you may face jail time or be charged.
Alternatively, you can write your application and attach all the required documents and address them to:
- Assistant Chief of the Defence Forces
- Ministry of Defence
- Defence Headquarters
- Ulinzi House
- P O Box 40668 – 00100
- NAIROBI
KDF Contacts
For Immediate assistance, use the following key contacts :
- Postal address: The Principal Secretary, Ministry of Defence, P O Box 40668 – 00100, Nairobi (Ulinzi House, Lenana Road)
- Telephone Number: 2712054
- Fax: 2722270
- Email address: publicaffairs@mod.go.ke
- Facebook: @Kenya Defence Forces
- X (formerly Twitter): @kdfinfo
FAQS
What are the requirements for KDF cadet recruitment in 2025?
You must:
- Be a Kenyan citizen
- Be aged between 18-26 years
- Have a valid Kenyan National ID Card
- Have a KRA PIN Certificate
- Have no criminal record
How much are KDF cadets paid?
The salary of a cadet officer varies widely for several reasons. First, those who are in training earn a basic wage of Ksh 7,172 per month, but once they complete their training, cadets are promoted and can pay between Ksh 11,852 and Ksh 70,000 per month, depending on their rank and experience.
How long is KDF cadet training?
The KDF cadet training duration varies depending on your entry category. Regular GSO (General Service Officer) Cadets Training Duration is 3 years, after which they graduate with a BSc in Defence and Security Studies. On the other hand, the graduate GSO cadets with already a bachelor’s degree have just 15 months of training.
Final Thoughts
And that’s all there is to know about the KDF cadet recruitment 2025 process. This article has served you well by providing everything you need to know. Remember, the key to joining KDF successfully as a cadet officer is to start preparations early. We wish you all the best, but if you have any questions, let us interact in the comment section below.
