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Kitui Central MP Hon. Dr Makali Mulu, CBS, has strongly condemned corruption in the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) recruitment exercise, saying it has denied opportunities to deserving young people from poor backgrounds.
Speaking in Parliament, Dr Mulu lamented that high and illegal demands placed by some recruiting officers had made it “impossible for the young ones from poor backgrounds to be recruited into the KDF.”
“I want to address the issue of corruption. It has become impossible for the young ones from poor backgrounds to be recruited into the KDF because the demands being put forward by the recruiting officers are so high that they cannot be afforded,” he said.
Dr Mulu, who has declared interest in the Kitui gubernatorial race come 2027, said the matter was not only a national shame but also a betrayal of Kenya’s constitutional promise of equal opportunity.
He noted that many talented youths, physically fit and academically qualified, continue to be sidelined in favour of those who can afford to pay bribes, a practice he vowed to fight once entrusted with higher leadership responsibilities.
“Meritocracy must prevail if we are to build a professional defence force and a just society. Our young people deserve a fair chance regardless of their family’s financial status,” he asserted.
Political analysts observe that Dr Mulu’s stance in Parliament has given further weight to his 2027 gubernatorial ambition, portraying him as a reformist leader ready to confront deep-seated challenges affecting not only Kitui but the country at large.
His bold remarks are expected to resonate with thousands of unemployed youth across Kitui County and beyond, many of whom have long voiced frustration at discriminatory recruitment practices.
As the 2027 election nears, Dr Makali Mulu is positioning himself as a champion of fairness, accountability and good governance pillars he insists will guide his administration after he succeed Governor Dr Julius Malombe.
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