The Vice Chief of the Defence Forces (VCDF), Lieutenant General John Omenda, on 24 October 2025 conducted a tour of Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) recruitment centres in Mombasa and Kilifi Counties as part of the ongoing nationwide recruitment exercise. The tour aimed to assess the progress of the enlistment process and ensure it remains transparent, fair, and credible across all regions.
In Kilifi County, the recruitment exercise was held at Matsangoni location under the supervision of the Senior Recruiting Officer (SRO), Lieutenant Colonel Alice Ngure. The centre recorded a high turnout of hopeful candidates eager to serve in the KDF.
Speaking during the tour, Lieutenant General Omenda expressed his satisfaction with the ongoing process, saying, “I am happy to be here in Kilifi today to oversee this important nationwide exercise. It is encouraging to see so many young Kenyans turning up, ready to serve their country with pride.”
Lt Col Ngure praised the enthusiasm and discipline of the youth who reported for recruitment, noting that the large turnout reflected growing patriotism among the local population.
“We have seen a high number of potential candidates. They are young, energetic, and patriotic, qualities that are vital for service in the Kenya Defence Forces. The residents of Kilifi have been very welcoming, and the exercise has been smooth,” she said.
Lt Col Ngure also pointed out that the overwhelming number of candidates presented logistical challenges for the recruitment teams, emphasizing that every applicant was being given a fair opportunity to undergo all stages of assessment, including physical fitness evaluations, medical examinations, and document verification.
Later, in Mombasa County, the VCDF also toured the Likoni recruitment center, where he was received by the Senior Recruiting Officer (SRO), Lieutenant Colonel Hesbon Mugune. He commended the dedication of the recruitment officers and the cooperation of local authorities despite the challenges posed by the large turnout of applicants.
Lt Col Mugune acknowledged that managing the high number of participants required careful coordination and logistical planning. “The turnout has been impressive but also demanding. We are ensuring that every candidate is served efficiently and fairly,” he noted.
Addressing the potential candidates at Likoni, Lt Gen Omenda reaffirmed the Kenya Defence Forces’ commitment to integrity and accountability throughout the process. “We do not condone any form of malpractice or corruption,” he stated. “This exercise remains fair, credible, and corruption free.”
He underscored that the recruitment exercise is a multi-agency collaborative effort involving the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC), National Intelligence Service (NIS), Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI), and National Police Service (NPS), among others, to guarantee transparency and fairness.
Concluding his tour, Lt Gen Omenda reminded the candidates that military service demands continuous training, discipline, and resilience. “Military work is a continuous process,” he said. “There are numerous checks to ensure we produce quality, fit officers to serve the country. To those who may not succeed today, there is always another chance and another day.”
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