Frontier Correspondent
Habaswein, Wajir County.
Allegations of bribery and favoritism have cast a dark shadow over the just-concluded Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) recruitment exercise in Habaswein, with residents decrying a process they say has locked out deserving youth from serving their country.
Several residents who spoke to Frontier Eye alleged that recruiting officers demanded bribes ranging between Sh500,000 and Sh600,000 to guarantee enlistment — reducing what should be a patriotic, merit-based exercise into an auction for the highest bidder.
“It is no longer about fitness, discipline, or patriotism. It’s about who can pay. It’s heartbreaking,” said a local elder.
A viral video circulating on X (formerly Twitter) has fueled outrage across the region. It features Abdiweli Adan, a young man from Habaswein who has tried his luck in the KDF recruitment for three consecutive years.
Each year, Abdiweli emerged top in the endurance and running drills, cheered on by his parents and neighbors who saw him as a symbol of determination and hope. Yet, despite consistently meeting all requirements — height, fitness, and academic qualifications — he was once again left out.
“I prayed they would consider merit this time,” said his mother, Habiba Rage, her voice breaking.
Residents described chaotic scenes at the recruitment grounds, saying the exercise resembled a market more than a national security process.
Mzee Aden Othowa, whose son recently graduated from the National Youth Service (NYS), expressed frustration after his son too was rejected despite having all the required credentials.
“My boy joined NYS with the dream of serving his country through the army. But it was like a market, only those with money or political connections stood a chance,” he said.
Locals also accused recruitment officers of succumbing to political and clan influence, claiming that some well-connected families were allocated multiple slots while talented youths from poor backgrounds were turned away.
Similar complaints have surfaced in Balambala (Garissa County) and Tarbaj (Wajir County), where reports of bribery, nepotism, and political interference have sparked anger and disillusionment among young people.
Community leaders and civil society groups have now urged the Ministry of Defence and the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) to step in and investigate the claims, warning that the integrity of the country’s security institutions is at stake.
“You cannot build a professional, disciplined army on the foundation of corruption,” said Khalif Abdi, a human rights activist based in Garissa.
“When recruitment is sold to the highest bidder, patriotism dies — and so does public trust,” he added.
As the sun set over Habaswein on the final day of recruitment, groups of disappointed youths lingered by the field, some silent, others in tears. For them, it wasn’t just another rejection; it was the death of a dream.
They had run, trained, and prayed, but in a process where opportunity carries a price tag, effort and merit no longer seem to matter.
For Abdiweli and many others like him, the uniform remains a dream deferred, a dream now for sale.