Kenya Defence Forces warns against bribery as recruitment starts

A Senior Army officer metes one of the prospective candidates for recruitment at Chaka Stadium in Kieni East, Nyeri County, Sep. 14, 2015. (PHOTO: MOSE SAMMY/STANDARD)

The national military recruitment drive started yesterday with revelations that Kenyans had since 2009 been conned Sh52 million by people who lied they would help them have their kin recruited.

Department of Defence headquarters said the exercise will run for the next 30 days in all 272 district headquarters and they are targetting more than 2,500 general service personnel.

Vice Chief of the Defence Forces Lt Gen Joseph Kasaon said more than 15 teams had been formed led by Brigadier John Warioba to oversee the exercise.

He revealed 54 military service personnel had been sacked in the last six years over taking of bribes during recruitment.

"Let Kenyans know this exercise is free of charge and fair to all. Successful candidates will be informed on the spot," said Lt Gen Kasaon.

He made the remarks at DoD headquarters while briefing journalists on the recruitment programme.

Between 2009 and 2010, Sh24 million was paid as bribes involving 23 service personnel and 34 civilians while between 2010 and 2011, Sh8.5 million was paid with eight soldiers and 38 civilians being involved.

Between 2012 and 2013, 12 soldiers and 10 civilians were involved in Sh7 million bribery cases while between 2013 and 2014 four military personnel and 15 civilians were involved in Sh4.8 million bribery cases.

Kasaon said last year, seven military personnel and 11 civilians were involved in bribery cases amounting to Sh3.9 million.

He warned Kenyans against giving out bribes to be recruited.

Officials from the National Intelligence Service, Ethics and Anti Corruption Commission, media and other organisations have been invited to monitor the exercise.

He added they would also consider the gender rule of recruiting a third of female recruits in the exercise.

The Constitution also requires KDF to reflect the regional and ethnic diversity of the people of Kenya in Article 241(4).

Past recruitment exercises have often been marred by a myriad of flaws including claims of bribery, political interference, and unequal distribution of slots across districts and favouritism.