Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) recruitment requirements 2026

The Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) is the armed forces of the Republic of Kenya, that is composed of Kenya Army, Kenya Navy and Kenya Air Force. KDF is tasked with protecting and defending the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Republic of Kenya in the event of an invasion or attack from external forces. The Kenya Army protects the country from eternal land-based attacks. The Kenya Navy protects the country’s territorial waters from sea-borne attacks, piracy and any activities that are prohibited.

The Kenya Air Force ensures that the country’s air space is safe from any attacks. The military is regularly deployed in peacekeeping missions around the world. The Kenya Army has its headquarters based in the Department of Defence (DoD), Hurlingham, Nairobi. The Kenya Navy is headquartered in Mtongwe, Mombasa. The Kenya Air Force is headquartered in the Moi Air Base, Eastleigh, Nairobi.

In order to join the Kenya Defence Forces, one is expected to fulfill the following requirements.

1. General Service Officer (GSO) Cadets

Candidates wishing to join the Kenya Defence Forces as cadets must meet the following requirements.

1. Must be a Kenyan citizen with no dual citizenship.
2. Must be of age between 18 and 26 years old.
3. Must be physically and medically fit according to the KDF standards.
4. Must have no criminal record.
5. Must have a valid Kenyan National Identity Card.
6. Minimum Height:
   • Men – 1.60 m (5 ft 3 in).
   • Women – 1.52 m (5 ft).
7. Minimum Weight
   • Men – 54.55 kg (120 lb).
   • Women – 50.00 kg (110 lb).
8. Female candidates must not be pregnant at the time of recruitment and during the entire duration of training.
9. Education: A minimum mean grade of B (Plain) in KCSE with at least C+ (Plus) in English, Mathematics and one science subject. The initial training period for this category will cover three (3) continuous years leading to a BSc in Military Science and Security Studies on successful completion.

2. Recruits/Service Members

Candidates wishing to join the Defence Forces must meet the following conditions.

1. Must be a Kenyan citizen.
2. Age: Between 18 and 26 years old.
3. Education: A minimum of mean grade D (Plain) in KCSE.
4. Be medically fit.
5. Have no criminal record.
6. Minimum Height – 5 ft 3 in (5’3”).
7. Minimum Weight:
   • Men – 54.55 kg (120 lb).
   • Women – 50 kg (110 lb).
8. Women candidates must not be pregnant.

3. Constabularies

Candidates wishing to join the Defence Forces Constabulary must satisfy the following requirements.

1. Must be a Kenyan citizen.
2. Age: Between 30 and 49 years old.
3. Be medically fit.
4. Have no criminal record.
5. Be ex-Defence Forces Servicemen/Women (Kenya Army, Kenya Air Force or Kenya Navy).
6. Possess a Discharge Certificate of minimum “Very Good”.
7. Must have served at least a 3 or 9 years’ colour service.
8. Must be in possession of a valid National Identity card.

4. Tradesmen/women, trades members

Candidates wishing to join the Kenya Defence Forces as Tradesmen/women/trades members must meet the following requirements.

1. Must be Kenyan citizen and should not have dual citizenship.
2. Age: Between 18 and 26 years old.
3.  Be physically and medically fit in accordance with the KDF standards.
4. Have no criminal record.
5. Minimum Height:
   • Men: 1.60 m (5 ft 3 in).
   • Women: 1.52 m (5 ft).
6. Minimum Weight:
   • Men: 54.55 kg (120 lb).
   • Women: 50.00 kg (110 lb).
7. Female candidates must not be pregnant at recruitment and during training.
8. Education:
   • Technicians: A minimum of mean grade C (Plain) in KCSE, a relevant Diploma or above from a recognized Institution and be registered with the relevant statutory bodies, where applicable.
   • Artisans: A minimum of mean grade D+ (Plus) in KCSE and either a relevant certificate with Government Trade Test Grade II or Craft II from a recognized Institution.

5. Specialists

Suitable qualified civilians who wish to join the Kenya Defence Forces as specialists. Must meet the following requirements.

1. Age: Between 18 and 30 years old.
2. Education: A minimum of mean grade B (Plain) in KCSE with at least C+ (Plus) in English, Mathematics and one science subject, and an undergraduate degree from a recognized University/Institution. The initial training period for Specialist Officers will not be less than three months.
3. Experience: Minimum of two (2) years’ working experience.
4. Registration: Must be registered with the relevant statutory body, where applicable.
5. Requirements for fields of specialty:
   • Medical Officers: Must be holders of at least a Bachelor’s degree in Medicine and be registered with Medical Practitioners and Dentists Board (MPDB).
   • Dentists: Must be holders of at least a Bachelor’s degree in Dental Surgery and be registered with Medical Practitioners and Dentists Board (MPDB).
   • Nurses: Must be holders of at least a Bachelor’s degree in Nursing and be registered with the Nursing Council of Kenya (NCK).
   • Medical Laboratory Officers: Must be holders of at least a Bachelor’s degree in Medical Laboratory Sciences and be registered with the Kenya Medical Laboratory Technicians and Technologists Board (KMLTTB).
   • Education Officers: Must be graduates from a recognized University with at least a Bachelor of Education or Arts or Science degree and a post graduate diploma in education with at least two (2) years’ working experience and be registered with Teachers Service Commission (TSC).
   • Applied Mathematicians: Must be holders of at least a Bachelor of Science in Applied Mathematics.
   • Clinical/Counselling Psychologists: Must be holders of at least a Bachelor’s degree in Counselling Psychology or Msc in Clinical Psychology.
   • Computer Science/Information Technologists: Must be holders of at least a Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science or in Information Technology with at least two (2) years working experience.
   • Forensic Investigators (Cyber Security): Must be holders of at least a Bachelor’s degree in Forensic Science/Computer Forensic Science.
   • Telecommunication Engineers: Must be holders of at least a Bachelor of Science degree in Telecommunication Engineering from a recognized University and be registered with the Engineers Registration Board (ERB).
   • Aeronautical Engineers: Must be holders of at least a Bachelor of Science degree in Aeronautical Engineering from a recognized University.
   • Statisticians: Must be holders of at least a Bachelor of Science degree in Statistics.
   • Mechanical Engineers: Must be holders of at least a Bachelor’s of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering from a recognized University and be registered with the Engineers Registration Board (ERB).
   • Electrical & Electronic Engineers: Must be holder of at least a Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical & Electronics Engineering from a recognized University and be registered with the Engineers Registration Board (ERB).
   • Instrumentation and Control Engineers: Must be holders of at least a Bachelor of Science degree in Instrumentation and Control from a recognized University.
   • Textile Engineers: Must be holders of at least a Bachelor of Technology degree in Textile Engineering and be registered with the Engineers Registration Board (ERB).
   • Procurement Officers: Must be holders of at least a Bachelor’s degree in Procurement and Supplies Management.
   • Public Health Officers: Must be holders of at least a Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Health Sciences.
   • Architects: Must be holders of at least a Bachelor in Architecture degree from a recognized University and be registered with the Board of Registration of Architects and Quantity Surveyors (BORAQS).
   • Quantity Surveyors: Must be holders of at least a degree in Quantity Survey Engineering and be registered with the Board of Registration of Architects and Quantity Surveyors (BORAQS).
   • Lawyers: Must be holders of a Bachelor of Laws (LLB) degree from a recognized University, be an Advocate of the High Court of Kenya, hold a current and valid practicing certificate with at least two (2) years working experience. Experience in litigation will be an added advantage.
   • Chaplains/Imams: Must be holders of a Bachelor’s degree in Theology/ Islamic studies from recognized Institutions. For Protestant Churches and Roman Catholic Chaplains, must be ordained ministers and recommended by Episcopal Conference and Archbishop respectively. Imams to be recommended by the Chief Kadhi.
   • GIS Programmers: Must be holders of a Bachelor’s degree in Geomatics Engineering and GIS.
   • Assistant Directors of Music (Band Masters): Must be holders of a Bachelors’ degree in Music.
   • Broadcast Producers: Must be holders of a Bachelor’s degree in Communication having majored in audio and visual broadcast production and with at least two (2) years working experience.