Members of Parliament representing constituencies in Nairobi County have protested the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) recruitment advertisement published on Sunday, September 14. 

In a joint statement on Thursday, September 18, MPs representing Nairobi’s 17 constituencies, the Senator and the Woman Representative, demanded an urgent review of the recruitment itinerary, terming it discriminatory and unfair.

The leaders argued that the current plan sidelines the county’s residents by consolidating multiple constituencies into a handful of recruitment centres.

According to the advert, applicants from Embakasi Central, Embakasi East, Embakasi South, Embakasi West, Kamukunji, Makadara, and Starehe are all required to report to Nyayo Stadium. 

Meanwhile, Kasarani, Ruaraka, Mathare, and Roysambu candidates have been directed to Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani, while Dagoretti North, Dagoretti South, Lang’ata, Kibra, and Westlands have been grouped at Jamhuri Grounds.

The legislators argue that this arrangement is in contrast to other counties, where recruitment centres are provided at the sub-county level.

“The consolidation of recruitment centres for over a dozen constituencies presents a logistical nightmare and is in stark contrast to other counties, where recruitment centres are designated for each sub-county, reflecting a more decentralised and equitable approach,” the MPs said.

The MPs insisted that the plan offends the principles of fairness and equality, pointing to Article 27 of the Constitution, which guarantees equal protection of the law and prohibits discrimination, as well as Article 10, which outlines national values and principles of governance.

“Nairobi County is a unique administrative and demographic reality. With a metropolitan population of more than 5.7 million people in 2025, it is the most populous urban area in Kenya, and accounts for about 9.5% of the country’s population. A significant portion of this population is comprised of young, qualified individuals seeking gainful employment.

“The logistical parameters of this recruitment exercise, as currently structured, demonstrably fail to account for the unique demographic challenges and high population density of Nairobi,” the MPs added.

The MPs warned that crowding thousands of applicants into a few recruitment centres would create logistical chaos, security risks, and an environment that undermines the principles of fairness and transparency.

As such, the legislators have demanded that the Ministry of Defence review the itinerary and establish separate recruitment centres for each of Nairobi’s 17 constituencies.

Additionally, the MPs have demanded that affirmative action be introduced to expand opportunities for urban youth, who face limited prospects due to population density and unemployment.

In a notice on Sunday, KDF announced that a recruitment exercise is set to take place in October. 

KDF said the exercise will target General Service Officer (GSO) Cadets, both Regular and Graduate, Specialist Officers, General Duty Recruits, Tradesmen and women, as well as Defence Forces Constables.

Minimum academic qualifications have also been outlined, including a KCSE grade of B (Plain) with C+ in English, Mathematics and one science subject for GSO Cadets (Regular), while graduate cadet applicants are required to hold a Bachelor’s degree from a recognised university.