This archive report was first published on 17 October 2019.
On October 17, 2019, the Kenyan National Assembly summoned Defence Cabinet Secretary Raychelle Omamo to appear before the Defence and Foreign Relations Committee to address concerns over the recent change in recruitment centres for the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF).
Lawmakers claimed that the change, which shifted recruitment centres from sub-counties to counties, was a scheme to lock out hundreds of youths from joining the KDF. They argued that this would disproportionately affect job seekers in expansive counties such as Turkana and Marsabit, where youths would be forced to cover long distances to reach the recruitment centres.
Deputy Speaker Moses Cheboi directed Omamo to appear before the committee, chaired by Katoo ole Metito, to respond to the concerns raised by the House. The decision to summon the CS was triggered by Tiaty MP William Kamket, who sought to know what informed the decision to move recruitment centres.
MPs also raised concerns over bribery claims in the KDF recruitment process, with Kitui South MP Rachael Nyamai stating that the recruitment by KDF and other services has been marred with bribery claims. National Assembly Minority Leader John Mbadi demanded that the ministry come out clear on a subjective test they put recruits through, claiming they were used to deny deserving people jobs in the force.
