How to Join the Kenyan Armed Forces

Last Updated: March 2, 2023 References Approved

A rewarding but difficult career in the Kenyan Armed Forces can mean a lot of things. From general servicemen to officers and specialty positions, anyone meeting the physical criteria can find a position in the KAF. The biggest determining factor for placement is your score on the Kenyan Certificate of Secondary Education, or KCSE.

Method 1

Method 1 of 2:

Qualifying to Be Serviceman or Woman

1
Take the Kenyan Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) examination. This test is required for entry into the police or armed services, and your score determines placement in the Army. Servicemen and women should have a mean score of a D on the KCSE in order to qualify for the army.
- Higher scores than a D may make it difficult to become a service person, but those with a B or higher will likely qualify for officer training or specialty posts.^{[1]
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- This score is the mean, or average, of all the parts of the test.
2
Know the base requirements for enlistment. There are a few important standards that all recruits need to be aware of to join the Kenyan Armed Services. You must:
- Be a Kenyan citizen.
- Be at least 18 years of age, but not exceeding 26 years of age.
- Have no criminal record whatsoever.
- Be above 5 foot, 3 inches (Defense Forces) or 5 foot 8 inches (Police Force).
- Weigh more than 54.55kg (males) or 50kg (females).
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3
Know that you must be deemed physically fit enough to join. Upon joining the Kenyan Armed Forces you will undergo a physical test to determine your readiness to be in the Army. While the examination changes from inspector to inspector, the following principals generally apply.
- Trim, healthy gut size.
- Proper dental hygiene (not missing teeth or filled with cavities)
- Good vision and hearing.
- Female candidates may not be pregnant.
- Ability to run 5km without stopping.^{[2]
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4
Bring your National Identification Card to your local recruiting center to sign up. Recruitment testing usually takes place in large batches, so you may have to wait in order to take your physical fitness test. There are no set times to sign up, so keep an eye on your local newspapers and advertisements to see when recruitment starts.

Method 2

Method 2 of 2:

Qualifying for Officer Training

1
Score a B or better on your KCSE. Officers and Cadets need to get a mean (or "plain") score of a B on their Kenyan Certificate of Secondary Education examination, as well as meet several other testing requirements. In rural areas where it is difficult to get access to education, these requirements are sometimes lowered on a case-by-case basis.
- Minimum of C+ on the English portion.
- Minimum of C+ in Mathematics.
- Minimum of C+ in one of the following: Physics, Chemistry, or Biology.
2
Meet the minimum requirements for General Service Officer (GSO) training. The basic requirements are similar, to those needed for general enlistment, with a few small changes:
- Be between 18 and 29 years of age.
- Have no criminal record whatsoever.
- Be above 5 foot, 3 inches (Defense Forces) or 5 foot 8 inches (Police Force).
- Weigh more than 54.55kg (males) or 50kg (females).
- May not be pregnant.^{[3]
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3
Know that preference for officer school will be given to graduates. It is much easier to advance in the Kenyan Armed Services if you already hold an advanced degree. For some vocations, such as clergy, the age requirements are extended to 18-30 if you are a graduate, giving you more time to finish schooling.^{[4]
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4
Know that you must have 2 years of relevant experience to get a specialty officer job. In order to qualify for a position, such as a doctor, dentist, psychiatrist, engineer, etc, you must have the relevant degree as well as 2 years experience in the associated field to qualify.
- A complete list of specialty openings and the required degrees can be found here.
5
Apply to your local branch by responding to mass-printed advertisements. The schedule of recruitment is not set in stone, and the Kenyan Department of Defense recommends watching local print and electronic media to respond to an ad when they are recruiting.^{[5]
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- Bring running shoes -- you will be expected to run 5km as a physical test.
- Bring a national ID card or passport.
- Bring appropriate paperwork validating your experience and degrees.^{[6]
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Community Q&A

Question

What happens if your grade is a C and you have a passion for the army?

Community Answer

You should concentrate on your studies first. However, if you really want to join the army, they should take you.
Question

How do I improve someone's education?

Community Answer

You can improve someone's education by giving them access to all the values of education, such as in providing a better school for that person and giving them access to the internet, library, and you can also organize a study group for that person to be able to communicate with other learners. You can also provide study materials for the person to study with.
Question

If I hold a diploma and I got a C plain in KCSE do I qualify to join cadet forces?

Community Answer

Yes. Know that preference for officer school will be given to graduates. It is much easier to advance in the Kenyan Armed Services if you already hold an advanced degree. For some vocations, such as clergy, the age requirements are extended to 18-30 if you are a graduate, giving you more time to finish schooling.

Warnings

This is not an easy job or short-term commitment. Be ready for physically and mentally difficult training.

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