The Kenya Defence Forces has dismissed two notices claiming the armed forces are conducting a mass recruitment exercise.
In a short statement shared with Kenyans.co.ke, KDF warned the public against engaging with the exercise.
“KDF warns the public against fake recruitment adverts circulating online. No recruitment is ongoing,” KDF said on Monday, October 19.
The two notices, which the Ministry of Defence says are fake and which Kenyans.co.ke reviewed, claimed to announce Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) enlistment for 2026/2027.
A military parade during the Recruits' Passing Out Parade in Eldoret, Uasin Gishu County, on August 13, 2026.
PCS
The fraudulent advisories, printed on templates imitating the official Kenya Gazette, purport to open applications from October 16 to November 27, 2026, for roles including General Service Officer cadets, combatants, tradesmen, and ICT specialists.
A further review of the documents has established that they falsely instruct job seekers to submit personal academic certificates and national identity cards through a fake portal.
Kenyans.co.ke has compared the documents with previous announcements and has found that one document shows clear signs of AI generation, featuring scrambled, nonsensical text and a fake circular approval stamp.
The document directed unsuspecting applicants to an unauthorised web link and listed fake anti-corruption hotline numbers.
“Official vacancies are announced through mainstream media, the MOD website and official KDF social media platforms. Disregard recruitment information from unofficial sources,” KDF stated.
The Ministry of Defence told Kenyans.co.ke that any notice requiring fee payments or directing applicants to unofficial websites is a fraud scheme intended to steal personal data or money.
KDF conducted a mass recruitment drive last year, with in-person physical screening across all 47 counties taking place from October 13 to October 25, 2025.
At the time, approximately 5,000 recruits passed through the selection process and reported to the Defence Forces Recruit Training School (DFRTS) in Eldoret for basic military training.
A past KDF recruitment drive
File