Eighteen Members of Parliament from Nairobi constituencies have raised objections to the itinerary of the upcoming Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) recruitment exercise.
In a statement dated September 16, the MPs argued that the advertised exercise goes against constitutional principles of fairness and equal opportunity. The letter, tabled by Embakasi West MP and National Assembly Minority Whip Mark Mwenje and seconded by 17 other MPs, claims the current plan of shortchanging the people of Nairobi by providing few recruitment centres for the densely populated county.
According to the schedule, Nyayo Stadium will serve recruits from Embakasi East, Embakasi West, Embakasi North, Embakasi South, Kamukunji, Makadara, and Starehe constituencies.
The Moi International Sports Centre in Kasarani will handle recruits from Kasarani, Ruaraka, Mathare, and Roysambu constituencies.
Meanwhile, Jamhuri Grounds will cater to those from Dagoretti North, Dagoretti South, Lang’ata, Kibra, and Westlands constituencies.
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The legislators argued that consolidating recruitment centres in just a few locations creates a logistical nightmare, while other counties have been given centres in every sub-county.
“The logistical parameters of this recruitment exercise, as currently structured, demonstrably fail to account for the unique demographic challenges and high population density of Nairobi,” the statement read in part.
They further insisted that the allocation for Nairobi should reflect its share of the national population.
“The allocation for recruitment for Nairobi should be commensurate with the percentage of the population of the country. This recruitment plan is a clear affront to the constitutional right to equal opportunity. The concentration of vast numbers of applicants from a diverse and densely populated region at a handful of centers will inevitably lead to logistical chaos, security risk.”
The MPs have therefore demanded an immediate review of the exercise to create recruitment centres in all 17 constituencies in Nairobi to better accommodate applicants.
They also gave the Ministry of Defence seven days to respond, warning that they will take further action if their concerns are ignored.
