Tens of youths in Naivasha are set to book their slots in the military after the Kenya Defense Forces ceased to consider teeth discoloration criteria, which has locked out many from joining the military.
For years, youths from Naivasha were turned away by recruitment officers due to their discoloured teeth caused by high concentrations of fluoride in major water sources in the area.
However, according to Lt. Colonel Pius Leshan, the officer in charge of the recruitment, all the youths who met all the physical, mental, age, and academic requirements will be considered to join the service.
Leshan said no recruit was turned away because of their teeth’s discoloration, but a section of them were disqualified due to missing teeth or decayed cavities, among other criteria such as mismatch in identity names, lack of original certificates, age, height, and physical anomalies.
The Lt. Colonel said the service had tightened its noose on corruption loopholes such as bribery, noting that all those who turned up for consideration into cadet and service member units would be subject to scrutiny and verification to ensure fairness.
“KDF conducts a thorough security and identity check on all the recruits to tame infiltration into the service by indoctrinated officers with ill intentions for the country,” said Leshan.
He said the qualified recruits who turned up at the Kihoto grounds and who will be absorbed into the military will back up the existing service members with peace-related initiatives within the country and across the continent.
Leshan added that the recruits will play a major role in afforestation missions being undertaken by the military to accelerate the country’s target of planting 15 billion trees towards attaining tree and forest cover targets to mitigate the effects of climate change.
The officer in charge urged those disqualified for minor reasons, such as incorrect documentation, to comply with all the requirements before the next recruitment exercise next year.
The KDF’s annual recruitment drive seeks to enlist General Service Officer (GSO) Cadets (both regular and graduate degree holders), Specialist Officers, General Duty Recruits, Tradesmen and Women, and Defense Forces Constables.
Recruits seeking to join as servicemen and women must be Kenyan citizens aged between 18 and 26 years old, have a minimum of a mean grade of D (plain) in KCSE, be medically fit, and have no criminal record.
KDF also requires that female candidates not be pregnant at the time of recruitment and during the entire duration of training.
KDF also enlists the General Service Officer (GSO) Cadets, who must have a KCSE mean grade of B+ (plus) and have at least C+ (plus) grades in one science, English, and math subject and are expected to successfully undergo a three-year training period leading to a degree in Military Science and Security Studies.
By Erastus Gichohi
