Suspects arrested for attempting to bribe KDF official with Sh400,000

KDF officers recruit youths to the Kenya Defence forces at Afraha Stadium, Nakuru on Monday June 5, 2017. Only ten were selected out of 168 who had turned up. Photo By Mercy Kahenda

A first-year university student was among suspects arrested for attempting to bribe Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) recruitment officials.

The KDF and police officers who monitored the exercise acted when they received a tip that the suspects carried Sh400,000 at Muluanda in Butere in Kakamega County to influence the recruiting process.

The KDF chief recruiting officer Joakim Mwamburi said officers pounced on the suspects when they attempted to bribe them at the recruiting centre.

"Our officers tricked the two to show the money," he said.

Mwamburi said one of the suspects was found with Sh27,920 in his pocket and two national identification cards belonging to different persons.

Reports indicated the student had been coerced to drop his studies at the university to join the military by bribing the officers.

Two IDs

In Nairobi, a middle-aged man was dismissed after he was found having two national identity cards.

A senior recruiting officer, Lt. Col Stephen Melanyi said they suspected foul play when the suspect presented different national identification cards with similar names at the Nyayo National stadium recruitment centre.

Mr Melanyi said another youth was arrested when he attempted to sneak into the line during a running test.

Another candidate was eliminated after he failed to explain how he obtained Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education(KCSE) at Form Three.

Melanyi urged the public to be on the lookout for people impersonating KDF recruiting officials.

Other attempts to influence the recruitment included candidates scribbling messages on their feet and hands.

The recruitment delayed in Nairobi after the exercise was shifted from Kasarani to Nyayo Stadium.