A 22-year-old Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology (MMUST) student collapsed and died on Wednesday during a Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) recruitment exercise in Chwele, Bungoma County.
Confirming the incident, Bungoma Central Sub-County Police Commander David Saina said the young man collapsed while undergoing a physical fitness test and was pronounced dead upon arrival at Chwele Hospital.
“The recruit fainted during the physical exercise stage and was confirmed dead on arrival at the hospital at about noon. His body has been taken to the Bungoma Referral Hospital mortuary,” said Saina.
The tragic incident cast a somber mood over the recruitment venue, where hundreds of hopeful youths had gathered in pursuit of careers in the military.
Lieutenant Colonel Eliud Yegon, who is supervising the exercise in Bungoma, noted that several recruits faced disqualification due to inconsistencies in their identification and academic documents.
“We have several cases where the recruits’ names on their birth certificates do not match what is on their academic certificates, which complicates verification,” Lt. Col. Yegon said.
He further urged youths aspiring to join the military to stay off drugs and to prepare thoroughly for the demanding recruitment process, which includes physical, medical, and documentation checks.
The nationwide KDF recruitment exercise, which is being conducted throughout October, seeks to fill positions for General Service Officer (GSO) Cadets, Specialist Officers, Tradesmen and Tradeswomen, as well as other specialized roles in fields such as Engineering, ICT, Education, Legal Services, Mass Communication, and Supply Chain Management.
The death of the MMUST student has raised fresh concerns over the physical demands and health preparedness of participants in the annual recruitment drives.
