On Monday, August 28, thousands of Kenyans trooped to the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) recruitment centres to take a shot at joining the military as the nationwide recruitment kicked off. Day one of the recruitment took place in several centres across 31 counties which are part of the 374 recruitment centres across the 47 devolved units. Citizen TV reported that the youths showed up at the recruitment centres early in the morning ready to showcase what they had to offer. For most, a chance to join the military is a childhood dream but some like Kelvin Muriithi from Meru county left the recruitment centres disappointed. after he was shown the door on his 11th attempt at joining the KDF. “Wakati niliingia uwanjani wakasema if at all umecelebrate birthday yako ya 26th hufai huwa uwanjani na hicho ndio kitu kilinitoa kwa leo sasa nikakuwa na mawazo mengi,” said Muriithi. . At Katembe stadium in Kisii county, hundreds showed up to try their luck and for those who did not make the cut it was painful. Some, even calling for a review of the selection criteria. Elsewhere, hundreds of women who turned up for the recruitment drive in parts of Meru and Lamu were disappointed after the recruiting officers turned them down for various reasons. “We will not be recruiting the ladies today, the reason being that according to national statistics, in this recruitment station already we have enough personnel from this area therefore it is unfortunate we will not be recruiting ladies here,” said Lieutenant Colonel Hamisi Msagha, Senior Recruiting officer Lamu Central. BY TUKO NEWS