Defence Cabinet Secretary Soipan Tuya has announced that the Ministry of Defence is developing a new recruitment system for the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) to combat fraud and ensure a transparent selection process.
Addressing the Senate on Wednesday, March 19, 2025, Tuya disclosed that the Defence Council, which she chairs, is working on a comprehensive overhaul following a surge in recruitment scams.
She revealed that the ministry had received reports of fraudsters posing as KDF officials, complete with uniforms and official insignia, who had been circulating counterfeit recruitment notices.
“Late last year, we encountered a fully-fledged recruitment notice bearing the official logos of the KDF and the ministry. However, no such recruitment exercise was authorized,” Tuya told the Senate.
“We are aware of individuals impersonating KDF generals, complete with uniforms and ranks, exploiting the public’s trust,” she added.
The proposed reforms aim to seal gaps in the current recruitment process, which scammers have repeatedly exploited.
According to Tuya, the revised system will prioritize fairness and reflect Kenya’s diverse population in accordance with the principles of national security.
“The Defense Council is committed to establishing a secure and transparent recruitment framework. Our guiding principle is to ensure that national security organs reflect the nation’s diversity and adhere to equitable representation,” she said.
Following her Senate appearance, Tuya reiterated her position on social media, emphasizing the Ministry’s dedication to protecting the public from fraudulent practices.
“To address recurrent malpractices in the recruitment of Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) personnel, the Ministry is working through the Defense Council on a watertight KDF recruitment system that will guarantee a fair, transparent, and credible process,” she wrote on X.
Recruitment scams targeting hopeful candidates seeking to join the KDF have been a longstanding concern.
Fraudsters have exploited vulnerabilities in the system, promising applicants a place in the military in exchange for money.
The Ministry’s new measures aim to prevent such exploitation and uphold the integrity of the recruitment process.
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