KDF Recruitment Portal 2026( Registration, Login, and Application)

Will there be KDF recruitment in 2026? This is the question that many aspiring KDF Recruitment applicants are already asking. Good news: yes, there will be a KDF recruitment in 2026, but the official dates have not been announced yet. Based on previous patterns, the Kenya Defence Forces is expected to announce its 2026 recruitment drive, which may start in October, with the application process potentially starting in September and expected to conclude in October.

Find more details on the KDF recruitment process for 2026 here, where I cover all the details that you need to know.

The last KDF recruitment exercise was in 2025, and thus, this year’s event is vital, especially for candidates or applicants who are looking to join the Army. Like all Previous recruitment exercises, the activity is usually conducted on site for a few vacancies, but for most it is done online through the KDF recruitment Portal.

So if you’re wondering how to access the KDF Online recruitment Portal, here’s all that you need to know.

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KDF Recruitment 2026 Dates, Centres, Salaries & Requirements

December 21, 2025

KDF Recruitment 2026 dates and centres

First, before we dive deep into how to access the KDF portal and possibly apply for any Job positions on it (More details on this later), we need to understand all about the KDF Recruitment exercise. The event is usually held annually, except in 2024, when it didn’t take place. However, in 2026, the KDF is expected to recruit General Service Officer (GSO) Cadets (Regular and Graduates), Specialist Officers, General Duty Recruits, Tradesmen/women, and Defence Forces Constables.

As mentioned previously, the application process will likely take place throughout September, with a potential deadline in mid-October 2026. Shortlisted candidates will be notified through the print media between late October 2026.

The Recruitment exercise is usually conducted across all 47 Counties in Kenya. Based on the 2025 recruitment patterns, the centers for General Duty Recruits and Defence Forces Constables (which require on-site visits) are expected to be similar in 2026. Here’s a table of the 2025 centers and dates for reference( This guide will be updated with 2026 Official Dates and Centres once they are announced).

Monday 13 October 2025

Tuesday 14 October 2025

Wednesday 15 October 2025

Thursday 16 October 2025

Friday 17 October 2025

Tuesday 21 October 2025

Wednesday 22 October 2025

Thursday 23 October 2025

Friday 24 October 2025

Saturday 25 October 2025

How to Access the KDF Portal

So, if you are wondering how to apply for KDF recruitment online, then you will be glad to know that KDF Online applications are specific to the following positions only: Regular and Graduate General Service Officer (GSO) Cadets, Specialist Officers, and Tradesmen/Women. The General Duty Recruits and Defence Forces Constables must visit the various recruitment centres that we have already discussed above.

The KDF Portal is available at https://recruit.mod.go.ke/, or you can access it easily via the Ministry of Defence website. However, to access the website, you must ensure the positions you are applying for are specific to the portal. In addition, you must ensure that you have the following Documents ready, as they will be required from you. A copy of your national ID Card( Back and Front in PDF OR JPEG only), your KCSE Certificate in PDF Format, your Education Certificates (Master’s, Degree, Diploma), and any other relevant certificates, all in PDF format.

KDF Portal Registration

The KDF portal has now been revamped with a clean, professional look, making it easier to apply for any advertised Job vacancy. However, before you proceed with Job applications, you must have an active account. Here is how to register on the KDF portal:

• Visit the official portal at https://recruit.mod.go.ke/ and click Get Started.
• Next, verify that you are a human by tapping on the Recaptcha button and clicking on Submit.
• In the next window, proceed to provide your details, such as your Email address, Phone Number, and password, and Tap on Next.
• Proceed to enter the OTP sent to your mobile number.
• Next, proceed to upload a clear Image of your ID. The system will automatically scan your ID and fill the rest of the registration form for you. Once everything is confirmed, click Agree to the Terms and Conditions, then click Submit.

KDF Recruitment Portal Login

Once you register, the system will automatically redirect you to your accounts dashboard. If you have created an account or already have one, visit the recruitment portal and click on login to access your account.

For the first time, account holders will be prompted to complete their profiles. Just click on the link presented to you to proceed with the following steps:

• Start uploading your photo and click on next
• Next, provide your complete personal information ( Here select your Home county, Sub county, Division, Tribe, and Height, weight, and Body mass, which is autocalculated)
• Upload your KRA Certificate. The KRA PIN will fill automatically.
• The next step is filling in your Secondary Education. At this step, you will choose whether you are an intentional student. If not, you will need to upload your KCSE certificate, and the system will automatically fill in your Grades.
• Next, under Higher education, enter your HIGHEST level of education (e.g., if you have both a diploma and a degree, enter only the degree). Here again, you are to upload your certificate.
• The following window asks you to fill out the Service Information. Here, you indicate whether you have served in NYS or in the KDF, and you can choose either Yes or No.
• Next, proceed to finalise the upload of your Profile by submitting your Birth Certificate.

Once you are done with this process, you can proceed to apply for any Vacancies available.

KDF Job Vacancies

The following are the most advertised KDF Careers during the recruitment exercise. For example, in the last recruitment, the following positions were advertised.

• GSO Cadets – Regular
• GSO Cadets – Graduates: Disaster Management/Security Studies
• GSO Cadets – Graduates: Engineering
• GSO Cadets – Graduates: Education
• GSO Cadets – Graduates: Finance/Business and Human Resource Management
• GSO Cadets – Graduates: Geologist
• GSO Cadets – Graduates: GIS
• GSO Cadets – Graduates: Hospitality/Catering/Food Production
• GSO Cadets – Graduates: Information and Communications Technology (ICT)
• GSO Cadets – Graduates: Strategic Communication
• GSO Cadets – Graduates: Library
• GSO Cadets – Graduates: Social Work
• GSO Cadets – Graduates: Sports Management
• Specialist Officers: Chaplaincy
• Specialist Officers: Engineers
• Specialist Officers: Information and Communications Technology (ICT)
• Specialist Officers: Strategic Communication
• Specialist Officers: Legal
• Specialist Officers: Medical
• Specialist Officers: Finance Management
• Tradesmen/Women: Vehicle Mechanics
• Tradesmen/Women: Band/Music
• Tradesmen/Women: Catechists/Maalims
• Tradesmen/Women: Education
• Tradesmen/Women: Engineering
• Tradesmen/Women: Finance/Business Management
• Tradesmen/Women: Information and Communications Technology (ICT)
• Tradesmen/Women: Strategic Communication
• Tradesmen/Women: Library
• Tradesmen/Women: Medical
• Automotive Electrician
• Carpentry
• Electrical
• Electrical Installation
• Plant/Crane Operator
• Plant Elect/Mech
• Tailors
• Vehicle Mechanics
• Welders/Fabricators/Fitters General
• Painting and Decoration
• Catering & Accommodation

What are the requirements for the Defence forces in Kenya?

Applying for the Various KDF positions demands that you, as an applicant, have to meet job-specific requirements in addition to the portal requirements we have discussed above. Some of the General eligibility criteria that apply to all applicants are as follows:

• You must be a Valid Kenyan Citizen
• You must be able to produce the following documentation (Tradesmen/Women – Certificate Holders (Artisans)
• You must have no criminal record
• You must be medically fit as per KDF standards
• Female candidates must not be pregnant during recruitment and training

In addition, the following are the requirements for the job positions only featured on the KDF Recruitment portal:

GSO Cadets – Regular

GSO Cadets – Graduate

Specialist Officers

Tradesmen/Women – Diploma Holders

Tradesmen/Women – Certificate Holders (Artisans)

How To Apply for KDF Recruitment Vacancy

For the GSO Cadets, Specialist Officers, and Tradesmen/Women, you are required to make your application via the Jobs Portal. The application is done via the Kdf Portal, but you must make sure that you have completed updating the information and meeting the requirements for your Job category, as we have covered both above:

To apply for a vacancy on the portal, here is what you need to know:

• On the same KDF portal at https://recruit.mod.go.ke, make sure that you are logged in
• On the left sidebar of your dashboard, click on Vacancy Panel. You will be taken to a tab where you can see all the advertised jobs.
• Choose any vacancy that you want, given that you have met its requirements
• On the application Tab, proceed to choose sub-subcategory and Vacancy you want to apply for and click on the Blue apply button
• When done with the application, click on the apply button to submit your application

How to check if you have been shortlisted

After successfully submitting your KDF application through the portal, you will receive an immediate confirmation email. In addition, on the KDF portal, on the side bar, once you have applied for your desired Job under the applied Tab on the side panel, you can keep track of any Job position you have applied for previously.

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