The Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) has officially launched a nationwide recruitment exercise that targets 2000 recruits.
The exercise will be conducted in the next one month, starting Monday, in all the 47 Counties.
KDF has however, cautioned the public against conmen.
Speaking during the launch, Lt Gen Joseph Kasaon said the exercise will be free and fair adding those who do not make it will be notified of their shortcomings.
“Those found trying to corrupt the process will be dealt with accordingly. scrutiny of recruitment exercise is open to all oversight bodies but we warn against interference”.
Kasaon said KDF has put in place measures to root out corruption, which has in the past marred the exercise.
“We have invited oversight authorities including the Ethics Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC), National Intelligence Service (NIS), the media and the public to monitor and ensure that the exercise is conducted in a free and fair manner,” noted Kasaon.
He said any officer who will be spotted soliciting for a bribe during the exercise will be arrested and prosecuted.
The Lieutenant General urged the public to be wary of defrauders, who normally disguise as KDF officers and end up siphoning money from the public.
Kasaon said the list of successful recruits will be made public. His assurance of a free and fair exercise comes in the wake of revelations that Kenyans have in the past lost millions of money to fraudsters during similar exercises.
A report released Monday revealed that between 2009 to date Kenyans have been duped about Sh 52,169,750 million by defrauders.
The report says that during the 2009/2010 recruitment exercise, the public was robbed of Sh24,694,000 million by civilians who disguised as KDF officers.
In the year 2012/2013 financial year the public lost Ksh.7, 017,980 while Sh4, 488835 and Sh2,415,000 was lost in 2013/2014 and 2014/2015 respectively.
The report states that 54 soldiers and 108 civilians were involved in the malpractices. The Lieutenant General said the 54 soldiers have either been dismissed, prosecuted or disciplined according to the KDF law.
He said the 108 civilians were arrested and handed over to the police for prosecution. The one-month recruitment drive will be carried out in the 47 counties and 288 sub counties.
In Kiambu, Lari OCPD, Alfred Makoma has warned youths of stern action against anyone if found forging documents for the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) recruitment scheduled to take place on September 14 in the region.
Speaking at Kagwe grounds where he met with hundreds of youths, Makoma warned that anyone caught with fake documents will be arrested, prosecuted and convicted for five months without an option of a fine.
He urged them to collect their Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education certificates from their former schools, and ensure they have original national identification cards and show up on time for the recruitment exercise.
