For you to become a cadet in Kenya you MUST possess a KCSE certificate with a MINIMUM grade of C+.Being a cadet is better than becoming just a KDF officer without a title.Kadets are usually more superior that those KDF officers who join with D plain in KCSE.
The prospective candidates willing to join the Kenya Defence Forces MUST meet the following conditions and academic qualifications:
General Conditions
(1) Be a Kenyan citizen.
(2) Be in possession of a valid Kenyan National Identity Card (ID). Additionally; four (4) copies of National Identity Card and PIN Certificate will be required.
(3) Be within the following age brackets:
a. Between 18 and 26 years for GSO Cadets and General Duty Recruits.
b. Not above 30 years of age for Specialist Officers and Tradesmen/women with Certificate/Government Trade Test.
c. Not above 39 years of age for Chaplains/Imams and Medical Consultants.
(4) Have no criminal record.
(5) Candidates must meet the following minimum physical requirements:
a. Minimum Height:
(1) Men 1.60m (5ft 3in).
(2) Women 1.52m (5ft).
b. Minimum Weight:
(1) Men 54.55 Kg (120 lb).
(2) Women 50.00 Kg (110 lb).
c. Body Mass Index (BMI) MUST be below 30
(d) Female candidates must NOT be pregnant at the time of recruitment and during the entire duration of training.
(6) Medical. Candidates must be medically fit and Skin must be healthy devoid of large or deep scars and tattoos.
(7) Specialist Officers and Tradesmen/women should have a minimum of two (2) years practising experience in their field of specialisation from the date of registration with the
relevant regulatory/statutory body in Kenya.
General Service Officer (GSO) Cadets
Must hold a minimum mean grade of B (Plain) in KCSE with C+ (Plus) in English, Mathematics and one (1) Science subject. The training period for this category will cover three (3) years leading to a BSc degree in Military Science and Security Studies upon completion.