The student, whose dream was to serve his country in uniform, reportedly collapsed during the rigorous physical exercises and was later pronounced dead. His untimely death has left his family in deep sorrow and financial distress.
According to relatives, the young man had travelled from his rural home to attend the recruitment with high hopes of changing his family’s life.
His father said the news of his death was devastating, describing him as a disciplined and hardworking student who had always admired soldiers and wanted to dedicate his life to protecting the nation.
The grieving family said they have yet to receive any official report or assistance from the authorities. They are now appealing to the Ministry of Defence and the KDF to explain the circumstances that led to their son’s death and to help them with funeral expenses. They also want the government to conduct a thorough investigation to ensure accountability.
His mother, speaking in tears, said the loss had shattered the family’s hopes, as her son was their only child pursuing higher education. She said he had been preparing for months for the recruitment, training daily to meet the demanding physical requirements.
Local leaders who visited the family’s home have called on the government to support them and ensure similar tragedies are avoided in the future. They urged the Ministry of Defence to review its recruitment procedures to prioritize the safety and health of all participants.
The community continues to mourn the young man, describing his death as a painful reminder of the risks many young Kenyans take in pursuit of better lives and service to their nation.
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