Joining the Kenyan Army can be exciting and life-changing, especially for those interested in a military career path that will see them serve the Kenyan people, defend the freedom of the country by fighting enemies with absolute commitment and protect the nation’s interests, among many other military responsibilities.

Thanks to its multi-generational respect, many people envy the military service and want to join the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF), which is also among the most respected institutions in the country, attracting a great deal of trust and confidence from the citizens.

Gratefully, KDF has announced the 2023/2024 recruitment drive that will begin this August and end in September. If you wish to join the KDF, check the recruitment dates below to find out when and where it will take place:

KDF Recruitment dates 2023, counties and recruitment centers

Precisely, KDF recruitment will take place from August 28, 2023, to September 8, 2023, which is the deadline. On the first day, KDF Recruiting Teams will be in the counties of Nairobi, Bungoma, Busia, Baringo, Homabay, Kajiado, and others.

Check out the following KDF recruitment calendar:

KDF recruitment 2023 day 1: Monday, August 28

County Sub-County KDF recruitment center
Baringo Tiaty West Chemolingot
Bungoma Bungoma North Mukuyuni
Busia Busia Busia
Elgeyo Marakwet Marakwet East Chesoi
Homa Bay Homa Bay Homa Bay
Kajiado Loitoktok Loitoktok
Kakamega Kakamega North Malava
Kirinyaga Kirinyaga Central Kerugoya
Kisii Kitutu Central Nyanchwa
Kitui Tseikuru Tseikuru
Kwale  Samburu Samburu
Laikipia Kirima  Olmoran
Lamu Lamu Central Amu Island
Machakos Yatta Kithimani
Mandera Mandera East Mandera
Marsabit Dukana Dukana
Marsabit Marsabit Central Marsabit Stadium

Will KDF recruitment 2023 take place in Nairobi? Yes, on August 28, and due to the high number of hopefuls expected to turn out during the conscription exercise, residents of Dagoreti, Kibera, Lang’ata, and Westlands will visit Jamhuri Grounds for recruitment. Those from Kasarani, Mathare, and Njiru will attend the drive at Kasarani Moi International Sports Complex (MISC), while the locals from Embakasi, Kamukunji, Makadara, and Starehe will head to Nyayo Stadium.

KDF recruitment of August 28, 2023, is also as follows;

County Sub-County KDF recruitment center
Meru Buuri East Kiirua
Migori Suna East Migori
Mombasa Changamwe Changamwe
Nandi Nandi Central Kapsabet
Narok Trans Mara South Angata
Nyamira Masaba North Keroka
Nyeri Nyeri Central Nyeri
Siaya Ugenya Ukwala
Tana River Bangale Madogo
Tana River Tana Delta Garsen
Tana River Galledyertu Wayu
Tharaka Nithi Tharaka South Marimanti
Turkana Turkana Central Lodwar
Vihiga Sabatia Sabatia
Wajir Wajir East Wajir
West Pokot West Pokot Kapenguria

KDF recruitment 2023 day 2: Tuesday, August 29

County Sub-County KDF recruitment center
Baringo Baringo North Kabartonjo
Bungoma Kimilili Kimilili
Busia Teso South Amukura
Elgeyo Marakwet Marakwet West Kapsowar
Garissa Garissa Garissa
Homa Bay Suba Makunga
Kajiado Mashuru Mashuru
Kakamega Matete Matete
Kiambu Kiambaa Karuri
Kilifi Magarini Marafa
Kirinyaga Ndia Baricho
Kisii Sameta Itube
Kitui Kyuso Kyuso
Kitui Mwingi East Mathuki
Laikipia Nyahururu Nyahururu
Lamu Lamu West Mpeketoni
Machakos Mwala Makutano
Mandera Kiliwehiri Kiliwehiri
Marsabit Laisamis Laisamis
Marsabit North Horr North Horr
Meru Buuri West Timau
Migori Kuria East Kegonga
Mombasa Kisauni Kisauni
Nakuru Nakuru West Kapkures
Nandi Chesumei Chemundu
Nandi Aldai Kabujoi
Narok Lolgorian Lolgorian
Nyamira Manga Manga
Nyeri Kieni West Mweiga
Siaya Unguja Unguja
Taita Taveta Voi Voi
Tharaka Nithi Chiakariga Chiakariga
Turkana Kibish Kibish
Wajir Wajir North Bute
West Pokot Kipkomo Chepareria

KDF recruitment 2023 day 3: Wednesday, August 30

On this day, KDF recruitment 2023 will take place in the following counties in Kenya;

County Sub-County KDF recruitment center
Baringo Baringo Central Kabarnet
Bungoma Mt Elgon Kapsokwony
Bungoma Webuye East Webuye
Busia Nambale Nambale
Garissa Dadaab Dadaab
Homa Bay Mbita Mbita
Isiolo Isiolo Isiolo
Kajiado Kajiado Central Kajiado
Kajiado Kajiado North Ngong
Kiambu Ndeiya Nderu
Kilifi Malindi Malindi
Kirinyaga Mwea West Kandongu
Kisii Gucha  Ogembo
Kitui Mwingi West Migwani
Kitui Mumoni North Nthangani
Laikipia Laikipia East Nanyuki
Lamu Lamu East Faza
Makueni Kathonzweni Kathonzweni
Mandera Banisa Banisa
Marsabit Loyangalani Loyangalani
Migori Ntimaru Ntimaru
Mombasa Likoni Likoni
Nakuru Njoro Njoro
Nandi Nandi East Nandi Hills
Narok Trans Mara West Kilgoris
Nyamira Borabu Borabu
Nyandarua Nyandarua West Ol Joro Orok
Nyeri Kieni East Chaka
Siaya Siaya Siaya
Taita Taveta Taveta Taveta
Tharaka Nithi Tharaka North Gatunga
Turkana Turkana North Lokitaung
Uasin Gishu Moiben Moiben
Vihiga Hamisi Hamisi
Wajir Buna Buna
West Pokot Pokot South Kabichbich

KDF recruitment 2023 day 4: Thursday, August 31

This is the Kenya Defence Forces recruitment day number 4. Prospective recruits are expected to avail themselves in the following recruitment centers;

County Sub-County KDF recruitment center
Baringo Marigat Marigat
Bungoma Bungoma Central Chwele
Bungoma Tongaren Tongaren
Busia Bunyala Budalangi
Embu Embu East Runyenjes
Garissa Liboi Liboi
Homa Bay Ndhiwa Ndhiwa
Isiolo Garbatula Garbatula
Kajiado Oloililai Ngatatoek
Kiambu Githunguri Githunguri
Kiambu Githurai Githurai
Kilifi Chonyi Mwembekati
Kirinyaga Mwea East Wanguru
Kisii Masaba South Masimba
Kitui Mwingi Central Mwingi
Laikipia Laikipia Central Ngobit
Makueni Mbooni West Kikima
Mandera  Mandera West Takaba
Marsabit Chalbi Maikona
Migori Kuria West Kehancha
Mombasa Jomvu Mikindani
Murang’a  Kahuro Kahuro
Nakuru Kuresoi South Keringet
Nandi Tinderet Maraba
Narok Trans Mara East Emurua Dikir
Nyamira Nyamira South Nyamira
Nyandarua Gathanji Ngano
Siaya Gem Yala Yala
Taita Taveta Mwatate Mwatate
Tana River Tana North Bura Tana
Tharaka Nithi Igamba Ng’ombe Kathuana
Trans Nzoia Kwanza Kwanza
Turkana Turkana West Kakuma
Uasin Gishu Turbo Turbo
Vihiga Emuhaya Emuhaya
Wajir Eldas Eldas

KDF recruitment 2023 day 5: Friday, September 1

On this day, the KDF recruitment exercise will take place in the following counties in Kenya;

County Sub-County KDF recruitment center
Baringo Mogotio Mogotio
Bomet Chepalungu Sigor
Bungoma Bungoma West Sirisia
Busia Samia Funyula
Embu Embu West Embu
Garissa Bura East Bura
Homa Bay Rangwe Rangwe
Kajiado Isinya Isinya
Kakamega Khwisero Khwisero
Kakamega Lugari Lumakanda
Kiambu Gatundu North Kamwangi
Kiambu Lari Lari
Kilifi Ganze Ganze
Kisii Kenyenya Kenyenya
Kisumu Muhoroni Chemelil
Kitui Mutitu Sombe
Makueni Mukaa Yoani
Mandera Mandera North Rhamu
Meru Tigania East Muriri
Migori Suna West Bondo Nyironge
Mombasa  Nyali Kongowea
Murang’a Murang’a East Murang’a
Nakuru Kuresoi North Sirikwa
Nyamira Nyamira North Ekerenyo
Nyandarua Mirangine Mirangine
Nyandarua Nyandarua North Ndaragua
Nyeri Mathira West Kaiyaba
Samburu Samburu North Baragoi
Siaya Gem Wagai Wagai
Taita Taveta Taita Wundanyi
Tharaka Nithi Maara Chogoria
Trans Nzoia Trans Nzoia West Kitale
Turkana Loima Lorogum
Uasin Gishu Eldoret East Kapsoya
Wajir Diff Diff
Wajir Wajir West Griftu

The Kenya Defence Forces recruitment teams will pause the exercise in the September 2-3 weekend and resume on Monday.

KDF recruitment 2023 day 6: Monday, September 4

County Sub-County KDF recruitment center
Bungoma Cheptais Cheptais
Busia Butula Butula
Elgeyo Marakwet Keiyo North Iten
Embu Embu North Manyatta
Garissa Balambala Balambala
Garissa Fafi Alinjugur
Homa Bay Rachuonyo South Kosele
Kakamega Kakamega Central Kakamega
Kakamega Navakholo Navakholo
Kericho Bureti Litein
Kericho Kericho East Kericho
Kiambu Gatundu South Gatundu
Kilifi Kauma Jaribuni
Kisii Gucha South Nyamarambe
Kitui Mutitu North Mutitu
Machakos Athi River Athi River
Makueni Kibwezi Kibwezi
Makueni Kilungu Nguluni
Mandera Arabia Arabia
Meru Imenti South Nkubu
Meru Tigania West Urru
Migori Uriri Uriri
Mombasa Mombasa Tononoka
Murang’a Ithanga Kaguku
Murang’a Kangema Kangema
Nakuru Molo Molo
Nakuru Rongai Kampi ya Moto
Narok Narok West Lemek
Nyandarua Aberdare Shamata
Nyandarua Nyandarua Central Olkalou
Nyeri Mathira East Karatina
Samburu Samburu Central Maralal
Siaya Rarieda Madiany
Trans Nzoia Endebess Endebess
Turkana Turkana East Lokori
Wajir Wajir South Leheley

KDF recruitment 2023 day 7: Tuesday, September 5

Check out where KDF recruitment of new entrants will take place in Kenya on day seven of the exercise;

County Sub-County KDF recruitment center
Baringo Koibatek Eldama Ravine
Bomet Konoin Mogogosiek
Bungoma Bungoma South Bungoma
Bungoma Kopsiro Kopsiro
Garissa Lagdera Modogashe
Homa Bay Rachuonyo South Kendu Bay
Isiolo Merti Merti
Kakamega Kakamega East Shinyalu
Kakamega Mumias West Mumias
Kericho Belgut Sosiot
Kiambu Thika West Thika
Kilifi Kilifi North Kilifi
Kirinyaga Gichugu Kianyaga
Kisii Etago Etago
Kitui Kitui West Kabati
Kwale Lunga Lunga Lunga Lunga
Machakos Kathiani Kathiani
Machakos Masinga Masinga
Makueni Makindu Makindu
Makueni Mbooni East Mumbuni
Mandera Lafey Lafey
Meru Igembe Central Kangeta
Meru Meru Central Gatimbi
Migori Awendo Awendo
Murang’a Kigumo Kigumo
Nakuru Gilgil Gilgil
Nakuru Nakuru East Nakuru
Narok Narok South Ololunga
Nyandarua Wanjohi Wanjohi
Nyeri Mukurweini Mukurweini
Samburu Samburu East Wamba
Siaya Bondo Bondo
Trans Nzoia Trans Nzoia East Kachibora
Turkana  Turkana South  Lokichar
Uasin Gishu Kapseret Outspan
Wajir Khorof Harar Khorof Harar

KDF recruitment 2023 day 8: Wednesday, September 6

County Sub-County KDF recruitment center
Bomet Sotik Sotik
Bungoma Kimaeti Kimaeti
Bungoma Webuye West Matisi
Embu Mbeere North Siakago
Garissa Bodhai Bodhai
Kakamega Kakamega South Malinya
Kakamega Matungu Matungu
Kericho Londiani Londiani
Kericho Soin Chepkemel
Kiambu Thika East Kilimambogo
Kilifi Kaloleni Kaloleni
Kisii Nyamache Nyamache
Kisumu Nyakach Pap Onditi
Kisumu Seme Kombewa
Kitui Ikutha Ikutha
Kitui Lower Yatta Kyusyani
Kitui Matinyani Matinyani
Kwale Msambweni Msambweni
Laikipia Laikipia North Doldol
Machakos Kangundo Kangundo
Machakos Machakos Machakos
Mandera Kotulo Kutulo Mandera
Marsabit Moyale Moyale
Meru Imenti North Meru Town
Meru Mutuati Mutuati
Migori Mabera Mabera
Murang’a Kandara Kandara
Nakuru Naivasha Naivasha
Nakuru Nakuru North Bahati
Nandi Nandi North Kabiyet
Narok Narok Central Narok
Nyandarua Kipipiri Miharati
Nyeri Nyeri South Othaya
Trans Nzoia Kiminini Kiminini
Wajir Habaswein Habaswein
West Pokot Pokot North Alale

KDF recruitment 2023 day 9: Thursday, September 7

On this second-last day of KDF recruitment, Kenya Army recruiters will be in the following counties and recruitment centers;

County Sub-County KDF recruitment center
Bomet Bomet Central Bomet
Bungoma  Bumula Bumula
Elgeiyo Marakwet Keiyo South Chepkorio
Embu Mbeere South Kiritiri
Garissa Hulugho Hulugho
Homa Bay Rachuonyo East Kadongo
Kakamega Butere Butere
Kakamega Likuyani Kongoni
Kericho Kipkelion Kipkelion
Kiambu Juja Juja
Kiambu Kabete Wangige
Kilifi Rabai Rabai
Kisii Marani Marani
Kisumu Kadibo Rabuor
Kisumu Kisumu East Kibos
Kisumu Kisumu West Ojolla
Kitui Kitui Central Kitui
Kitui Mutomo Mutomo
Kitui Nzambani Chuluni
Kwale Kinango Kinango
Laikipia Laikipia West Rumuruti
Machakos Kalama Kyangala
Machakos Matungulu Matungulu
Mandera Mandera Central Elwak
Marsabit Sololo Sololo
Meru Igembe North Laare
Meru Tigania Central Mikinduri
Migori Rongo Rongo
Murang’a Murang’a South Kenol
Nakuru Subukia Subukia
Narok Narok East Nairegea Enkare
Nyandarua Nyandarua South Engineer
Nyeri Tetu Wamagana
Vihiga Luanda Luanda
Wajir Hadado Hadado
West Pokot Pokot Central Sigor

KDF recruitment 2023 day 10: Friday, September 8

The closing bell will be rung on this day, September 8, 2023, the last day of the KDF recruitment exercise in the following counties;

County Sub-County KDF recruitment center
Baringo Tiaty East Tangulbei
Bomet Bomet East Longisa
Busia Teso North Amagoro
Garissa Ijara Masalani
Kajiado Kajiado West Kisamis
Kakamega Mumias East Shianda
Kiambu Kiambu East Kiambu
Kiambu Kikuyu Kikuyu
Kiambu Limuru Limuru
Kiambu Ruiru Ruiru
Kilifi Kilifi South Kikambala
Kisii Kisii Central Kisii
Kisii Kisii South Kerina
Kisumu Kisumu Central Kisumu
Kisumu Nyando Awasi
Kitui Katulani Katulani
Kitui Kisasi Kisasi
Kwale Matuga Kwale
Makueni Makueni Wote
Makueni Nzaui Matiliku
Marsabit Turbi Bubisa Turbi
Meru Igembe South Maua
Migori Nyatike Nyatike
Murang’a Gatanga Gatanga
Murang’a Mathioya Kiriaini
Narok Narok North Olokurto
Nyandarua Kinangop Njabini
Tharaka Nithi Chuka Chuka
Tharaka Nithi Muthambi Marima
Uasin Gishu Kesses Kesses
Uasin Gishu Soy Ziwa
Vihiga Vihiga Mbale
Wajir Korondille Korondille
Wajir Tarbaj Tarbaj
West Pokot Kacheliba Kacheliba

What to know before going to the KDF recruitment exercise 2023

The Kenya Defence Forces will be signing up recruits, both men and women, for ten days from August 28 to September 8, 2023. The Army is an equal employer, but there are a set of special requirements to meet before joining the KDF.

Here are the requirements for joining the Armed Forces of Kenya. Ensure you achieve eligibility before visiting your nearest recruitment center;

* Citizenship Requirements: You must be a Kenyan Citizen and a holder of a National ID. Take four copies of the Identity Card, alongside the original one, to the recruitment center on the definite date
* Education Standards: You must have scored a minimum of D Plain in KCSE to qualify for the Army as a Service Member. For General Service Officer (GSO) Cadets and Specialist officers, it is a mean grade of B and C+, respectively, and a post-secondary education minimum. Have with you relevant academic certificates on the day of KDF recruitment in your center

What to know before going to the KDF recruitment exercise 2023
* Age Limits: Be 18-26 years old for GSO Cadets and General Duty Recruits, 30 years and below for Specialist Officers, and not above 39 years of age for Chaplains and Imams
* Your criminal records must be clean

Further, because of the rigorous military training before getting enlisted, KDF Recruitment Team must asses your physical abilities and performance. What are the KDF physical fitness requirements?

* Body Height: To be considered as a possible Army recruit, you must be standing at a minimum height of 1.60m (5ft 3in) if you are a male and 1.52m (5ft) for females
* Body Weight: The minimum weight for men is 54.55 kg, and if you are a female, you should weigh not less than 50.00 Kg
* Body Mass Index (BMI) of below 30. To get your BMI, take your weight in kilograms and divide it by the square of your height in meters
* Pregnant female KDF job seekers are not permitted in the exercise
* You must not have any tattoos on your skin

This KDF 2023/24 recruitment drive is for all its branches; Kenya Army, Kenya Navy, and Kenya Air Force.

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98 COMMENTS

  1. I do not know how big your scar is but according to Vice Chief of the Kenya Defence Forces – VCDF Lt Gen Jonah Mwangi, big scars and birth marks may exclude you from joining the KDF because such marks are considered dangerous to the health of a recruit during weight-based training programs. He says that the weights may scrap the wound/mark, leading to further injuries.

  2. Am not done with my course work due to fee balances…can I participate with my existing documents,,,then to continue in case it goes through.

  3. Hey am 25 and interested to join but my question is should i go back to my hometown to be recruited there or i can join it wherever i am

  4. Hi,am Farooq mwasaidi Bekolo very much interested to join ,am at kinango what should I do

  5. Hello sir am Joshua from Nyamira am interested with KDF am 18 years old I done my kcse last year and all things required I have and am qualified the only proprem I have is that I don’t have some one to support me. But I have wested you time to ready this information but the only thing I want is the support plix so that I can heip our family because am the fast born and the only child in the family may God bless your on the way of reading this information Amen.

  6. Am lomanat Peter kamoes I’m 25 years old am really interested to join with kdf I scored C – in my high school

    • Academic wise, you are qualified. Please check the recruitment dates and centers above and visit. You will be advised by KDF Recruitment Teams available from tomorrow at various counties

      • hello, sir am Eutychus mwenda ,am interested in joining the force .in academic progress I own a diploma in criminology and security study ,now my big problem is the age limit ,currently now am 28 years and the minimum years as per your qualification is 26 years ,my question is will I be recruited or this my diploma certificate will be for useless?

  7. Hello…I’m in kiambu but every time I show up for recruitment they normally say that they aren’t recruiting girls….I have been going since I was 20 and I’m now 24 I feel like I’m loosing it now

  8. If one as the form four certificate, good conduct,kra pin and id can he qualify?
    He’s within the age bracket
    Is a kcpe certificate a must?

  9. Hello, …is the recruitment in Nairobi an everyday exercise due to the high number of turn ups or is it just one day? Nairobi is not in the calendar and it’s really confusing if it stops at just day 1. Please clarify…

  10. Hello am 25yrs i did my KCSE 2018 am good everything hight teeth but i have D- but am willing i always trying much to join kdf i can i be taken with D- am from

  11. Please,am Evans mutethia and I did my exam last year and attained a mean of c plain and I have a result slip so far and am interested,can I be eligible??

  12. Hello Justus i am ex member of NYS i have undergone all the PMT Training and i have finished college too,i saw in ur list that if u did Hospitality courses u might be Lucky in which i did.CAtering and accommodation i have tried several times but all are in Fate since i don’t have any Godfather,… my plea is that why don’t u guys give NYS servicemen first chance priority?… i have all the certs… discharge ndiyo bado haijatoka ziko on process na cert ya shule but niko na all documents… adi cert ya PMT..i hope this time Allah is on my side…i hope for the bes in me…thank you.

  13. Hello Justus i am ex member of NYS i have undergone all the PMT Training and i have finished college too,i saw in ur list that if u did Hospitality courses u might be Lucky in which i did.CAtering and accommodation i have tried several times but all are in Fate since i don’t have any Godfather,… my plea is that why don’t u guys give NYS servicemen first chance priority?… i have all the certs… discharge ndiyo bado haijatoka ziko on process na cert ya shule but niko na all documents… adi cert ya PMT..i hope this time Allah is on my side…i hope for the bes in me…thank you.

    • Remember your generation depend on you as a man, so don’t and never give up. Try your luck this time, give it a chance and put some faith. I wish you success this time around, you will come with good news, trust these words.

    • KDF doesn’t take a list of those turned down. Go try your luck this time, assuming you were not dismissed of facts like grade, hoping you meet the minimum fitness requirements.

  14. Hello sir,,, I only have the waiting card for certificate of good conduct, is it possible for me to join

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