The thorough medical standards for aspiring recruits seeking to join the Kenya Defence Force (KDF) came under immense scrutiny during the vetting of former Defence Cabinet Secretary Aden Bare Duale by the National Assembly Committee on Appointments. This follows reports that testicle size is a significant factor during Military recruitment exercises in Kenya.
Duale, who was being vetted over his suitability to lead the Climate Change and Environment Ministry, faced questions regarding the grounds on which recruits were dismissed from training camps, especially during his short stint at the Defense Docket
The committee sought answers from Mr Duale on the recruitment guidelines, citing an example of one of a young man who was expelled from training camp due to having unequal testicle size, despite successfully passing the initial recruitment phase at the county level.
“I can quote one of our young men who was told that his testicles are not equal, which is why he was dismissed. I wanted to seek clarification from the minister on what are the guidelines for recruitment.” Asked one Legislator.
However, Duale defended the dismissals in response, asserting that they were justified under the current recruitment guidelines specific to the KDF.
“The grounds given for rejecting that recruit from Teso South are valid. Next year, if such a person comes, he will not be recruited to the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF),” he said.
Duale explained that KDF recruits undergo rigorous medical assessments post-county selection, and health-related reasons, including uneven testicle size, could result in dismissal from training.
“There are many reasons; the testicles are one of them. I don’t want to go into details. The chairman of Defence will agree,” said Duale.
Another Member of the Committee, Hon Lesuuda expressed concern over the relevance of scrutinizing testicle size in military recruitment, questioning its necessity compared to physical impairments directly affecting operational performance.
I’m really wondering what work the testicles would have to do with joining the disciplined forces,” Lesuuda said, urging the government to take such issues seriously.
These sentiments were echoed by Suna East legislator Junet Mohamed, who criticized the practice of measuring testicle sizes as part of the recruitment process.
