The Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) has come under sharp scrutiny after a viral video showed a young man from Garissa claiming he was unfairly denied a slot in the recent military recruitment exercise.
In the video shared by activist Hussien Khalid on Monday, October 20, the 22-year-old lamented that despite topping all physical and academic tests, his position was handed to another individual who never participated in the fitness drills.
“On Tuesday, October 14, I participated in the KDF recruitment, and I passed everything, including weight and height. I even emerged first in running,” he explained. “But at around 7 p.m. the same day, I was replaced by someone who was not even in the recruitment centre. The person was brought in by a vehicle.”
The distraught youth appealed to Defence Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale, Environment CS Soipan Tuya, and President William Ruto to intervene and ensure justice is served. He claimed to be one of the top athletes in the Northeastern region and cited the President’s earlier promise to recruit at least 500 athletes into the KDF.
“I am not rich, but I need help. I want this message to reach the Defence CS and President Ruto because he promised to recruit more athletes to KDF directly,” he pleaded. “I feel I was left out because I do not have a godfather.”
His revelations come barely a week after Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) General Charles Kahariri urged recruitment officers to uphold integrity, transparency, and professionalism during the ongoing recruitment exercise.
Speaking on October 9 at Defence Headquarters in Nairobi, General Kahariri warned that any officer found engaging in corrupt practices would face severe disciplinary action.
“The reputation of KDF has been built over decades of discipline and service to the nation. This exercise must reflect our core values of integrity, patriotism, and excellence,” the CDF emphasized.
The video has sparked widespread outrage online, with Kenyans demanding accountability from KDF and a thorough investigation into the Garissa recruitment exercise.
