On Wednesday, May 15 William Ruto presided over the Pass Out Parade of recruits at the Defence Forces Recruits Training School (DFRTS) in Eldoret.
The parade marked the culmination of six months of Basic Military Training.
Recruits acquired skills including combat marksmanship, drill duties, career development, field craft, and physical training among others during the training.
In the passing out ceremony, the recruits took an oath of allegiance before the C-in-C, officially entered the ranks of the Kenya Defence Forces.
Ruto also rewarded recruits who demonstrated exemplary performance throughout their training.
The president congratulated the new soldiers for enduring the rigorous and essential military training.
He urged them to uphold the values of courage, integrity, resilience, and honour, which define the noble tradition of the KDF.
“As you transition to your respective services, formations, and units, let me remind you of the nation’s expectations. You must live up to your professional duties by sustaining the attributes of selflessness, diligence, and teamwork,”
“The oath of allegiance you have taken initiates a sacred trust on behalf of the people of Kenya, committing you irrevocably to embody the values of patriotism, professionalism, and loyalty as members of the KDF,” Ruto said.
This year 4000 recruits graduated of which more than 1000 are women
This number is the largest in history and underscores the Kenya Defence Forces’ commitment to gender equity.
WoK published an inspiring story of Francis Erodi, a KDF recruit who graduated from military training.
Erodi’s mother worked as a mama fua (washing lady) to raise him and his siblings.
Joy for the family came on Wednesday, May 15 when Erodi graduated from military training at RTS Eldoret.
