Kenyans have been conned about Sh45.2 million since 2009 by crooks duping them they would help them enlist in the military, officials have disclosed.
Some 48 military personnel implicated in the fraud were sacked, charged and jailed in various prison facilities, an official said.
The Department of Defence said more than 100 civilians involved in the cases have also been charged and their cases are ongoing.
Vice Chief of Defence Forces Samson Mwathethe made the revelations yesterday while launching this year's national military recruitment drive expected to run for the next one month. "As much as there is a decline in the cases, Kenyans are still being conned and that is why we urge for vigilance and caution among interested recruits," said Lt Gen Mwathethe.
He said the exercise would be free of charge and asked anyone being asked to pay a bribe to call 0726419709.
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Mwathethe said in the 2009/10 recruitment exercise, a total of Sh17.9 million was obtained as bribe involving 23 Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) personnel and 34 civilians. In the 2010/2011 period Sh7.5 million was given as bribe involving six KDF soldiers and 38 civilians.
In the 2012/2013 period, Sh7 million was obtained in bribes involving 12 KDF soldiers and 10 personnel while in the last recruitment, 15 civilians and four KDF soldiers were involved in a Sh4.7 million scam, he said.
gender rule
He said the exercise is aimed at recruiting more than 2,500 general service personnel, constables and tradesmen and women. The constables, who are retired military personnel should be 52 years old and below and with special skills.
Officials said 16 teams have been formed to oversee the exercise in all 288-district headquarters.
Chief of Defence Forces Julius Karangi has delegated Brigadier Jona Mwangi as the chief recruiting officer.
For general service personnel and constables, the entry grade will be D plain.
The KDF is also looking for mechanics, engineers, nurses, physiotherapists and quantity surveyors, among others experts.
Officials from the National Intelligence Service, Ethics and Anti Corruption Commission, media and other organisations have been invited to monitor the exercise.
There have been concerns of failure to observe the constitutional rule of gender equity in the service.
