The family of a first-year Garissa University student who died during a Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) recruitment exercise has appealed to the government for a job for one of their members. They spoke to the press on October 23, 2025, emphasizing the deceased's role as the family's sole hope for economic upliftment. The student collapsed during physical drills in Wajir and was pronounced dead on arrival at the hospital.
The family described the Garissa University student as a healthy, hard-working young man from a humble background, determined to secure a better future through a KDF job. He attended the recruitment exercise in Wajir hoping to join the disciplined forces and obtain long-term employment. He collapsed during a physical exercise on Tuesday, October 21, 2025, and was rushed to the hospital, where doctors pronounced him dead on arrival.
“We are requesting the government to give one of our family members a job in the government. Our loved one was the sole hope of the family, but now he has passed away,” a family representative noted.
The case is currently before a local police station, with the KDF yet to issue an official statement on the student's passing. This marks the second such incident this year, following the death of a 22-year-old Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology (MMUST) student during a recruitment exercise in Kabuchai constituency, Bungoma County.
That student collapsed during a running drill and was taken to Chwele Sub-County Hospital, where he was pronounced dead upon arrival. “There was a boy who lost consciousness while they were running. He was rushed to Chwele Sub-County Hospital. Sadly, he was pronounced dead upon arrival," the Bungoma Police Commander confirmed.
KDF recruitment exercises are known for their intense physical demands, including long-distance runs, push-ups, sit-ups, high jumps, and other endurance tasks under high pressure and strict supervision.