KDF recruitment must be free from corruption

The military promised to ensure fair recruitment free from corruption this year and this is what Kenyans expected. However, it is saddening to hear that the exercise currently underway across the country has already been marred by cases of corruption.

In 2013, there were at least 23 cases of corruption involving Sh5 million, while in 2014 there were 16 cases involving Sh4 million. In 2015, at least Sh2 million was reported to have exchanged hands as desperate Kenyans sought to join the Kenya Defence Forces as rogue military officials or impostors took advantage of them.

The fact that cases of corruption reduced between 2013 and 2014 is a good sign that KDF is winning the war against corruption within its ranks. At the same time, provision of hotline numbers through which corruption can be reported is commendable. Thus the public must also be vigilant and report corruption through the number that has been provided or to the nearest police station so we can root out the vice.

Kenyans love shortcuts and this is hurting us as individuals and as a nation. Shortcuts deny deserving cases the chance. That is why candidates and their families must stop giving bribes and be ready to go through the process.

Perhaps the military should also employ the services of its intelligence officers to arrest the impostors pretending to be KDF officers who collect money from unsuspecting Kenyans with a promise that they will help them join the forces.