The Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) is set to carry out national recruitment of General Service Officer (GSO) Cadets (Regular and
Graduates), Specialist Officers, General Duty Recruits and Tradesmen/women
which is scheduled to take place in the month of December 2026.
Here are the requirements for interested applicants.
Biometric verification shall be the sole method of identification and verification during the
recruitment exercise and on reporting for training.
No calling letters shall be issued either during recruitment or at the point of reporting for training.
Prospective candidates willing to join the Kenya Defence Forces must meet the following conditions and academic qualifications:
a. General Conditions
(1) Be a Kenyan citizen.
(2) Be a holder of a valid Kenyan National Identity (ID) Card.
Additionally, candidates are required to bring their original documents
together with four (4) copies of their National ID Card, KRA PIN
Certificate and Academic Certificates.
(3) Be within the following age brackets:
(a) Between 18 and 23 years for Regular GSO Cadets.
(b) Between 18 and 26 years for Graduate GSO Cadets,
General Duty Recruits and Tradesmen/Women.
(c) Not above 30 years of age for Specialist Officers.
(d) Not above 35 years of age for Medical Consultants.
(e) Not above 39 years of age for Chaplains/Imams.
(f) Not above 35 years of age for Catechists/Maalims.
(4) Have no criminal record.
(5) Candidates must meet the following minimum physical
requirements:
(a) Minimum Height:
i. Men 1.60m (5ft 3in).
ii. Women 1.52m (5ft).
(b) Minimum Weight:
i. Men 54.55 kg.
ii. Women 50.00 Kg.
(c) Body Mass Index (BMI) range MUST be between 18.5 and
30.0 kg/m2
.
(d) Female candidates must NOT be pregnant at the time of
recruitment and during the entire duration of training.
5. (6) Medical. Candidates must be medically fit as per the KDF
standards.
(7) Specialist Officers and Tradesmen/women. Should have a
minimum of two (2) years practising experience in their field of
specialization from the date of registration with the relevant
regulatory/statutory body in Kenya.
(8) The selected potential candidates in every category will undergo final
verification at designated KDF training institutions.
b. Minimum Academic Qualifications
(1) General Service Officer (GSO) Cadets – Regular. Must hold a
minimum mean grade of B (Plain) in KCSE with C+ (Plus) in English,
Mathematics and one (1) Science subject. The training period for this
category will cover three (3) years leading to a BSc degree in Defence
and Security Studies upon completion.
(2) General Service Officer (GSO) Cadet – Graduate. Must hold the
minimum requirement to qualify as GSO Cadet – Regular specified in Para
3.b.(1) above and be a Bachelor’s degree holder from a recognized
University/Institution in any of the disciplines specified under the vacancies
listed in Para 4.b. The training period for this category will be fifteen (15)
months.
(3) Specialist Officers. Must hold the minimum requirement to qualify as
GSO Cadet – Regular specified in Para 3.b.(1), hold Bachelor’s degree from
a recognized University/Institution and be registered with a regulatory/
statutory body where applicable in any of the disciplines specified under the
vacancies listed in Para 4.c. Exemptions are for Chaplains/Imams who must
hold a minimum mean grade of C+ (Plus) in KCSE and meet the
qualifications specified in Para 4.c.(1). The training period for Specialist
Officers will be seven (7) months.
(4) Service Members (General Duty) Recruits. Must hold a minimum
mean grade of D (Plain) in KCSE. Candidates who have successfully
undergone NYS training and meet the general conditions in Para 3.a will
have an added advantage.
(5) Tradesmen/women. Prospective candidates must satisfy the
conditions and requirements given below:
(a) Diploma. A minimum mean grade of C- (Minus) in KCSE, a
relevant Diploma or above from a recognized institution and be
registered with the relevant statutory bodies, where applicable.
(b) Certificate. A minimum mean grade of D+ (Plus) in KCSE and
either a relevant Certificate with Government Trade Test Grade II or
Craft II from a recognized institution.
Vacancies
a. General Service Officer (GSO) Cadets – Regular.
b. General Service Officer (GSO) Cadets – Graduates:
(1) Disaster Management/Security Studies. Must hold a
Bachelor’s degree in Criminology and Criminal Justice, Crisis Response
and Disaster Management, Security Studies, Forensics, Peace and
Conflict Studies or related fields.(2) Engineering. Must hold a Bachelor’s degree in Quantity Survey,
Mechanical and Industrial, Technology in Building Construction,
Material and Metallurgical, Civil/Structural, Chemical,
Aeronautical/Aerospace/Space, Electrical & Electronics,
Telecommunications, Marine, Architecture, Mechatronics, Biochemistry,
Environmental Science/Engineering, Urban and Regional/Physical and
Land use Planning, Interior design, Nuclear Science, Facility
Management or Construction Project management,
(3) Education. Must hold a B.Ed. Arts/Sciences.
(4) Finance/Business and Human Resource Management. Must
hold a Bachelor’s degree in Commerce, Accounting, Finance, Audit,
Entrepreneurship, Marketing, Business Management, Supply Chain
Management, Procurement and Contract Management or Human
Resource Management.
(5) Geologist. Must hold a Bachelor’s degree in Geology.
(6) GIS. Must hold a Bachelor’s degree in GIS & Remote Sensing or
Geospatial Engineering and Geotechnical Engineering.
(7) Hospitality/Catering/Food Production. Must hold a Bachelor’s
degree in Hospitality Management, Food Production and/or Catering.
(8) Information and Communications Technology (ICT). Must
hold a Bachelor’s degree in Software Engineer/Developer, Hardware
Engineer/Developer, Cyber Security, Information Security (Systems),
Network Engineering, Artificial Intelligence & Robotics, Information
Science or Applied Statistics. Candidates MUST possess relevant
certifications.
(9) Strategic Communication. Must hold a Bachelor’s degree in
Journalism, Mass Communications, Film Production or Graphic Design.
(10) Library. Must hold a Bachelor’s degree in Library Studies and
Information Science.
(11) Sports Management. Must be a holder of a Bachelor’s degree in
Sports Science/Physical Education & Sports.
(12) Strategic Management & Leadership. Must be a holder of a
Bachelor’s degree in Strategic Management & Leadership.
(13) Public Administration. Must be a holder of a Bachelor’s degree
in Public Administration.
(14) Agroforestry. Must be a holder of a Bachelor’s degree in
Agroforestry and Rural Development.
c. Specialist Officers:
(1) Chaplaincy. Must hold a Bachelor’s degree in Theology or Islamic
studies from a recognized institution. Roman Catholic and Protestant
Chaplains must be ordained Ministers and recommended by Episcopal
Conference and Archbishop respectively. Imams must be recommended by
the Chief Kadhi.
(2) Legal. Must hold a Bachelor’s of Law (LL.B) from a recognized
University, be an Advocate of the High Court of Kenya, hold a current and
valid Practicing Certificate. Certified Public Secretary (CPS) will be an
added advantage.
(3) Medical. Must hold a Bachelor’s degree in Medicine and Surgery
(MBChB), Dental Surgery (BDS), Nursing (BScN), Pharmacy (B.Pharm).
(4) Medical Consultants: Must Hold Masters of Medicine (MMed) in
Internal Medicine, Radiology.
d. Tradesmen/Women:
(1) Diploma Holders:
(a) Band/Music. Must hold a Diploma in Music.
(b) Catechists/Maalims. Must hold a Diploma in Theology,
Catechetical Studies, Religious Studies in Catechists & Pastoral
Ministry, Islamic Studies/Sharia or equivalent.
(c) Education. Must hold a Diploma in Education or Applied
Linguistics (French, Chinese Mandarin or Arabic). Qualifications in
Special Needs Education and Kenya Sign Language is an added
advantage.
(d) Engineering. Must hold a Diploma in Architectural
Technology or Architecture, Building Technology, Civil
Engineering, Mechanical Engineering (Construction Option),
Material Science, Quantity Survey, Construction Planning
Management, Environmental Impact Analysis, Geospatial
Information Systems, Physical Planning, Land Survey,
Aeronautical Engineering, Electrical & Instrumentation, Electrical
& Electronics Engineering, Electrical & Electronics/
Telecommunications, Mechanical Engineering (Plant), Electrical &
Electronics (Power), Technical Marine Engineering, Marine
Engineering Technology (Shipwright), Refrigeration & Air
Conditioning Technology, Technical Marine Electric, Radio/Radar
Technology, Hydrographic Surveying, Draughts.
(e) Information and Communications Technology (ICT).
Must hold a Diploma in System Development, Software
Development, Web Design, Network Engineering, System Audit,
Telecommunication Engineering, Artificial Intelligence (AI), Cyber
Security, Forensics, Ethical Hacking, Data Entry/Analyst,
Animation/Digital Media, Computer Technician and Print
Technology. Candidates MUST possess relevant certifications.
(f) Strategic Communication. Must hold a Diploma in
Journalism, Mass Communication, Audio Engineering, 3D
Animation, Film/Video Production, Media Studies, Graphic Design
and Photography.
(g) Health Technologist. Must hold a Diploma in Clinical
Medicine, Kenya Registered Community Health Nurse (KRCHN),
Pharmaceutical Technology, Community Oral Health Officer
(COHO), Physiotherapy, Medical Imaging Technology.
(h) Para Legal. Must hold a Diploma in Legal studies.
(i) Vehicle Mechanic. Must hold a Diploma in Auto
Engineering/Vehicle Mechanic/Vehicle Electric/ Vehicle
Technology.
(j) Cartographer. Must hold diploma in Cartography.
(k) Laundry Technician. Must be a holder of Diploma in
Laundry Technology.
(1) Artisans (Certificate Holders):
(a) Automotive Electrician. Must hold a Craft/Certificate in
Automotive Electrician.
(b) Carpentry. Must hold a Craft/Certificate in Carpentry.
(c) Masonry. Must hold a Craft/Certificate in Masonry.
(d) Electrical. Must hold a Craft/Certificate in Electrical &
Electronics Engineering.
(e) Electrical Installation. Must hold a Craft/Certificate in
Electrical Installation.
(f) Plant/Crane Operator. Must hold a Craft/Certificate in
Plant Operations.
(g) Plant Elect/Mech. Must hold a Craft/Certificate in Plant
Elect/Mech/Tech.
(h) Tailors. Must hold a Craft/Certificate in Tailoring.
(i) Vehicle Mechanics. Must hold a Craft/Certificate in
Motor Vehicle Mechanics.
(j) Welders/Fabricators/Fitters General. Must hold a
Craft/Certificate in Welding/Fabrication technology.(k) Painting, Decoration and Signwriter. Must hold an
artisan certificate in painting, decoration and Sign writing.
(l) Catering & Accommodation. Must hold a
Craft/Certificate in Catering & Accommodation.
(m) Plumbing. Must hold a Craft/Certificate in Plumbing.
(n) Truck Drivers. Must hold NTSA Licence class BCE.
6. All interested candidates in the categories specified in Para 4 (General
Service Officer Cadets both Regular and Graduates), Specialist Officers and
Tradesmen/women) are required to submit online applications on:
https://recruit.mod.go.ke to submit your application. For assistance, kindly
contact the Help Desk via [email protected] .The deadline for submitting
applications is 12th December 2026. Shortlisted candidates will be notified
through the Ministry’s website: www.mod.go.ke and print media between 21st and
25
th December 2026. NOTE: All applications must be submitted online.
