Kenya Defence Forces 2025 Recruitment is Open – KDF Recruitment 2025
The Executive Order No. 2 of 2023 (Dated 1st November 2023) created the Ministry of Defence. The work of the Ministry of Defence is informed by the Constitution of the Republic of Kenya. The Ministry is obliged to facilitate and support the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) in the discharge of their mandate under Article 241 (3) (a), (b) & (c) of the Constitution. KDF Recruitment 2025
The Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) is pleased to announce to the public the recruitment of General Service Officer (GSO) Cadets (Regular and Graduates), Specialist Officers, General Duty Recruits, Tradesmen/women and Defence Forces
KDF Recruitment 2025
The Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) is pleased to announce to the public the upcoming recruitment of General Service Officer (GSO) Cadets (Regular and Graduates), Specialist Officers, General Duty Recruits, Tradesmen/women and Defence Forces Constables, which is scheduled to take place in the month of October 2025.
KDF Recruitment 2025
- General Service Officer (GSO) Cadets – Regular
- (GSO) Cadets – Graduates: Disaster Management/Security Studies
- (GSO) Cadets – Graduates: Engineering
- (GSO) Cadets – Graduates: Education
- (GSO) Cadets – Graduates: Finance/Business and Human Resource Management
- (GSO) Cadets – Graduates: Geologist
- (GSO) Cadets – Graduates: GIS
- (GSO) Cadets – Graduates: Hospitality/Catering/Food Production
- (GSO) Cadets – Graduates: Information and Communications Technology (ICT)
- (GSO) Cadets – Graduates: Strategic Communication
- (GSO) Cadets – Graduates: Library
- (GSO) Cadets – Graduates: Social Work
- (GSO) Cadets – Graduates: Sports Management
- Specialist Officers: Chaplaincy
- Specialist Officers: Engineers
- Specialist Officers: Information and Communications Technology (ICT)
- Specialist Officers: Strategic Communication
- Specialist Officers: Legal
- Specialist Officers: Medical
- Specialist Officers: Finance Management
- Tradesmen/Women: Vehicle Mechanics
- Tradesmen/Women: Band/Music
- Tradesmen/Women: Catechists/Maalims
- Tradesmen/Women: Education
- Tradesmen/Women: Engineering
- Tradesmen/Women: Finance/Business Management
- Tradesmen/Women: Information and Communications Technology (ICT)
- Tradesmen/Women: Strategic Communication
- Tradesmen/Women: Library
- Tradesmen/Women: Medical
- Tradesmen/Women – Artisans (Certificate Holders): Automotive Electrician
- Tradesmen/Women – Artisans (Certificate Holders): Carpentry
- Tradesmen/Women – Artisans (Certificate Holders): Electrical
- Tradesmen/Women – Artisans (Certificate Holders): Electrical Installation
- Tradesmen/Women – Artisans (Certificate Holders): Plant/Crane Operator
- Tradesmen/Women – Artisans (Certificate Holders): Plant Elect/Mech
- Tradesmen/Women – Artisans (Certificate Holders): Tailors
- Tradesmen/Women – Artisans (Certificate Holders): Vehicle Mechanics
- Tradesmen/Women – Artisans (Certificate Holders): Welders/Fabricators/Fitters General
- Tradesmen/Women – Artisans (Certificate Holders): Painting and Decoration
- Tradesmen/Women – Artisans (Certificate Holders): Catering & Accommodation
- Tradesmen/Women – Artisans (Certificate Holders): Plumbing
General Service Officer (GSO) Cadets – Regular
KDF Recruitment 2025
Qualifications
- 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.
(GSO) Cadets – Graduates: Disaster Management/Security Studies
Qualifications
- Must hold a Bachelor’s degree in Criminology, Disaster Management, Security Studies, Forensics, Peace and Conflict Studies or related fields.
(GSO) Cadets – Graduates: Engineering
Qualifications
- Must hold a Bachelor’s degree in Quantity Survey, Mechanical, Civil/Structural, Aeronautical/Aerospace/Space, Electrical & Electronics, Telecommunications, Marine, Architecture, Mechatronics, Biochemistry, Environmental Science/Engineering, Urban and Regional Planning, Interior design, Nuclear Science, Facility Management or Construction Project management.
(GSO) Cadets – Graduates: Education
Qualifications
- Must hold a B.Ed. Arts (Geography, History, Business studies, Economics, French or Arabic) or Master’s/Bachelors of Arts degree in Applied Linguistics (French, Arabic or Chinese Mandarin).
(GSO) Cadets – Graduates: Finance/Business and Human Resource Management
KDF Recruitment 2025
Qualifications
- Must hold a Bachelor’s degree in Commerce, Accounting, Finance, Audit, Entrepreneurship, Marketing, Supply Chain Management, Procurement and Contract Management or Human Resource Management.
(GSO) Cadets – Graduates: GeologistÂ
Qualifications
- Must hold a Bachelor’s degree in Geology.
(GSO) Cadets – Graduates: GIS
Qualifications
- Must hold a Bachelor’s degree in GIS & Remote Sensing or Geospatial Engineering.
(GSO) Cadets – Graduates: Hospitality/Catering/Food Production
Qualifications
- Must hold a Bachelor’s degree in Hospitality Management, Food Production and/or Catering
(GSO) Cadets – Graduates: Information and Communications Technology (ICT)
Qualifications
- 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.
(GSO) Cadets – Graduates: Strategic Communication
KDF Recruitment 2025
 Qualifications
- Must hold a Bachelor’s degree in Journalism, Mass Communications, Film Production or Graphic Design.
(GSO) Cadets – Graduates: Library
Qualifications
- Must hold a Bachelor’s degree in Library Studies and Information Science.
(GSO) Cadets – Graduates: Social WorkÂ
Qualifications
- Must hold a Bachelor’s degree in Community Development.
(GSO) Cadets – Graduates: Sports Management
Qualifications
- Must be a holder of a Bachelor’s degree in Sports Science.
Specialist Officers: Chaplaincy
Qualifications
- 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
Specialist Officers: Engineers
KDF Recruitment 2025
Qualifications
- Must hold a Bachelor’s degree in Nautical Science, Marine/Naval Architecture, Architecture or Civil/Structural Engineering.
Specialist Officers: Information and Communications Technology (ICT)
Qualifications
- Must hold a Bachelor’s degree in Software Engineering or Artificial Intelligence & Robotics.
Specialist Officers: Strategic Communication
KDF Recruitment 2025
Qualifications
- Must hold a Bachelor’s degree in Journalism, Mass Communications, Film Production or Graphic Design
Specialist Officers: Legal
Qualifications
- 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.
Specialist Officers: Medical
Qualifications
- Must hold a Bachelor’s degree in Dental Surgery, Nursing or Medicine and Surgery.
Specialist Officers: Finance Management
Qualifications
- Must hold a Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Banking or related fields.
Tradesmen/Women: Vehicle MechanicsÂ
Qualifications
- Must hold a Craft/Certificate in Tailoring
Tradesmen/Women: Band/Music
Qualifications
- Must hold a Diploma in Music
Tradesmen/Women: Catechists/Maalims
KDF Recruitment 2025
Qualifications
- Must hold a Diploma in Theology, Catechetical Studies, Religious Studies in Catechists & Pastoral Ministry, Islamic Studies/Sharia or equivalent.
Tradesmen/Women: Education
Qualifications
- 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.
Tradesmen/Women: Engineering
KDF Recruitment 2025
Qualifications
- Must hold a Diploma in Architectural Technology or Architecture, Automotive Engineering or Automotive Technology, Aeronautical Engineering, Aircraft Maintenance Technology or Aeronautical (Airframes & Engines), Technology in Biochemistry, Building Construction, Civil Engineering, Construction Management or Building Technology, Electrical & Instrumentation, Electrical & Electronics, Radar, Radio Technology, Telecommunication, Power, Geomatics Engineering, Geospatial Information Systems, Hydrographic Surveying, Land Survey or Cartography, Marine Engineering Technology (Shipwright), Marine Engineering, Mechanical Engineering (Plant, Crane Operator or Boiler), Material Science and Technology or Chemical Engineering, Project Management or Project Monitoring and Evaluation, Physical Planning or Urban Planning, Quantity Surveying, Refrigeration & Air Conditioning Technology, Water Engineering or Environmental Engineering.
Tradesmen/Women: Finance/Business Management
KDF Recruitment 2025
Qualifications
- Must hold a Diploma in Accounting, Finance or Banking related fields. Qualifications in Certified Public Accounts and being a certified member of ICPAK is an added advantage.
Tradesmen/Women: Information and Communications Technology (ICT)
KDF Recruitment 2025
Qualifications
- Must hold a Diploma in Ethical Hacking, Forensics, Cyber Security, Computer Tech, Software Development, Web Design, System Audit or Artificial Intelligence & Robotics.
Tradesmen/Women: Strategic Communication
Qualifications
- Must hold a Diploma in Journalism, Mass Communication, Audio Engineering, Media Production, Theatre Production, Film/Video Production, Media Studies, Graphic Design, Public Relations, Photography.
Tradesmen/Women: Library
KDF Recruitment 2025
Qualifications
- Must hold a Diploma in Library & Information Science.
Tradesmen/Women: MedicalÂ
Qualifications
- Must hold a Diploma in Kenya Registered Clinical Health Nurse (KRCHN), PharmTech, Medical Health Records, Community Oral Health (Dental Therapy) or Physiotherapy
Tradesmen/Women – Artisans (Certificate Holders): Automotive ElectricianÂ
Qualifications
- Must hold a Craft/Certificate in Automotive Electrician.
Tradesmen/Women – Artisans (Certificate Holders): Carpentry
Qualifications
- Must hold a Craft/Certificate in Carpentry.
Tradesmen/Women – Artisans (Certificate Holders): Electrical
Qualifications
- Must hold a Craft/Certificate in Electrical & Electronics Engineering.
Tradesmen/Women – Artisans (Certificate Holders): Electrical Installation
Qualifications
- Must hold a Craft/Certificate in Electrical Installation.
Tradesmen/Women – Artisans (Certificate Holders): Plant/Crane Operator
KDF Recruitment 2025
Qualifications
- Must hold a Craft/Certificate in Plant Operations.
Tradesmen/Women – Artisans (Certificate Holders): Plant Elect/Mech
Qualifications
- Must hold a Craft/Certificate in Plant Elect/Mech/Tech.
Tradesmen/Women – Artisans (Certificate Holders): Tailors
Qualifications
- Must hold a Craft/Certificate in Tailoring
Tradesmen/Women – Artisans (Certificate Holders): Vehicle Mechanics
Qualifications
- Must hold a Craft/Certificate in Motor Vehicle Mechanics.
Tradesmen/Women – Artisans (Certificate Holders): Welders/Fabricators/Fitters General
Qualifications
- Must hold a Craft/Certificate in Welding/Fabrication technology
Tradesmen/Women – Artisans (Certificate Holders): Painting and Decoration
KDF Recruitment 2025
Qualifications
- Must hold an artisan certificate in painting and decoration
Tradesmen/Women – Artisans (Certificate Holders): Catering & Accommodation
Qualifications
- Must hold a Craft/Certificate in Catering & Accommodation.
Tradesmen/Women – Artisans (Certificate Holders): Plumbing
Qualifications
- Must hold a Craft/Certificate in Plumbing
How to Apply for KDF Recruitment 2025
Prospective candidates willing to join the Kenya Defence Forces MUST meet the following conditions and academic qualifications:
 General Conditions
- Be a Kenyan citizen.
- 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.
- Be within the following age brackets:
- Between 18 and 26 years for GSO Cadets (Regular and Graduates) and General Duty Recruits.
- Not above 30 years of age for Specialist Officers and Tradesmen/women.
- Not above 39 years of age for Chaplains/Imams.
Have no criminal record.
Candidates must meet the following minimum physical requirements:
- Minimum Height:
- Men 1.60m (5ft 3in).
- Women 1.52m (5ft).
- Minimum Weight:
- Men 54.55 kg (120 lb).
- Women 50.00 Kg (110 lb).
- Body Mass Index (BMI) MUST be below 30.
- Female candidates must NOT be pregnant at the time of recruitment and during the entire duration of training.
Medical. Candidates must be medically fit as per the KDF standards.
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. The selected potential candidates in every category will undergo final verification at designated KDF training institutions.
Minimum Academic Qualifications
General Service Officer (GSO) Cadets –Â 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.
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.
Specialist Officers. Must hold the minimum requirement to qualify as GSO Cadet – Regular specified in Para 3.b.(1), be a Bachelor’s degree holder 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 six (6) months.
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
Tradesmen/women. Prospective candidates must satisfy the conditions and requirements given below:
- Diploma. A minimum mean grade of C (Plain) in KCSE, a relevant Diploma or above from a recognized institution and be registered with the relevant statutory bodies, where applicable.
- 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.
Constables. Candidates must be a retired KDF Service Member or a retired National Youth Serviceman/woman with the following requirements:
Retired KDF Service Member. Be between the ages of 30 and 55 years old, possess a Discharge Certificate with a minimum rating of “Good” in conduct, must have served for nine (9) years Color Service and retired honorably from KDF.
Retired NYS Serviceman/woman. Be between the ages of 35 and 45 years old, possess a Discharge Certificate with a minimum rating of “Good” in conduct.
All interested candidates in the categories specified in Para 4 (General Service Officer Cadets (Regular and Graduates), Specialist Officers and Tradesmen/women) MUST APPLY ONLINE.
Visit: https://recruit.mod.go.ke to submit your application. The deadline for applications is 12 th October 2025.
Shortlisted candidates will be notified through the print media between 21st and 24th October 2025. NOTE: All applications will be received online
General Duty Recruits and Defence Forces Constables. The KDF Recruiting Teams consisting of the Kenya Army, the Kenya Air Force and the Kenya Navy will recruit General Duty Recruits and Defence Forces Constables at the designated Recruitment Centres according to the itinerary indicated below:
KDF Recruiment dates for General Duty and Defence Forces Constables : 13th October to 25th October 2025
Check out
Visit Here > KDF Recruitment 2025
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