A recruitment exercise for the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) in Chwele, Bungoma County, took a tragic turn when a 22-year-old Masinde Muliro University student collapsed and died during a physical fitness test.
Highlights:
- The student collapsed during the KDF recruitment in Chwele, Bungoma County.
- He was rushed to Chwele Hospital but was pronounced dead on arrival.
- Bungoma police confirmed the body was moved to Bungoma Referral Hospital mortuary.
- KDF officers noted widespread document mismatches among applicants.
- Lieutenant Colonel Yegon urged youth to prepare well and avoid drugs ahead of recruitment.
Main Story:
Fitness Test Turns Fatal
A young man’s dream of joining the Kenya Defence Forces ended tragically on Wednesday when he collapsed during a physical exercise at Chwele in Bungoma County. Police identified him as a 22-year-old student from Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology.
Bungoma Central Sub-County Police Commander David Saina said the man fainted mid-exercise and was rushed to Chwele Hospital, where doctors pronounced him dead on arrival. His body has since been moved to the Bungoma Referral Hospital mortuary for post-mortem examination.
Recruitment Challenges Reported
Lieutenant Colonel Eliud Yegon, who is supervising the ongoing recruitment drive, noted that many applicants faced delays due to inconsistencies in their personal documents. He said some recruits’ names on birth certificates did not match those on academic papers, complicating verification.
Lt. Col. Yegon also advised young Kenyans aspiring to join the military to maintain fitness, avoid drug abuse, and ensure their documentation is in order. “Proper preparation is key,” he emphasized, urging applicants to respect the process and meet set requirements.
Nationwide Exercise Continues
The KDF recruitment, which runs throughout October, aims to fill various roles including General Service Officer (GSO) Cadets, Specialist Officers, and Tradesmen and women in fields such as Education, Engineering, ICT, Legal, and Supply Chain Management.
The incident serves as a sobering reminder of the demanding nature of KDF recruitment and the need for both physical and mental readiness before taking on the challenge.
