70 Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) Cadet/Specialist & Trades Slots Past Questions and Answers
70 Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) Cadet/Specialist & Trades Slots Past Questions and Answers
INTRODUCTION
The Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) recruitment examination is designed to assess the mental readiness, academic competence, discipline, reasoning ability, and general awareness of candidates seeking to join the Cadet, Specialist and Trades categories. The test evaluates candidates in English Language, Mathematics & Logical Reasoning, General Knowledge, and Military/Civic Awareness. All candidates are expected to demonstrate clarity of thought, accuracy, integrity, and commitment to national values aligned with the Kenya Constitution and the KDF Act.
This examination is part of the preliminary screening process. Only candidates who successfully pass this stage and meet all physical, medical, and character requirements will proceed to the next level of recruitment.
EXAMINATION INSTRUCTIONS
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The examination is Computer-Based (CBT) and consists of multiple-choice questions.
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Candidates are required to log in with their examination credentials before attempting the test.
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Each question has four options (A, B, C, or D). Select only ONE correct answer.
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Read all questions carefully before responding. Avoid guessing unnecessarily.
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You are not allowed to go back to a previously answered question once you have clicked next.
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The use of mobile phones, calculators, digital watches, printed materials, or any unauthorized device is strictly prohibited.
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Any form of impersonation, assistance, or examination malpractice will result in instant disqualification.
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Time is an essential factor. Candidates must manage their time effectively and ensure submission before the end of the allocated duration.
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Do not close, refresh, or minimize the examination window. Doing so may result in automatic termination of your test session.
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Maintain discipline, remain calm, and adhere to all digital and physical invigilator instructions throughout the examination.
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The system will automatically submit your answers once time expires or when you click the Submit button.
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Only candidates who complete the test and fulfill all subsequent verification procedures will be shortlisted.
SECTION A: GENERAL KNOWLEDGE (1–20)
Q1. The Commander-in-Chief of the Kenya Defence Forces is the
A. Minister of Defence
B. Chief of Defence Forces
C. The President
D. Attorney General
Answer: C
Q2. The Kenya Defence Forces Day is celebrated on
A. 20th October
B. 13th July
C. 14th October
D. 8th December
Answer: D
Q3. The KDF Act was enacted in which year?
A. 2010
B. 2012
C. 2014
D. 2016
Answer: B
Q4. The headquarters of KDF is located in
A. Nairobi
B. Nakuru
C. Karen
D. Embakasi Garrison
Answer: C
70 Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) Cadet/Specialist & Trades Slots Past Questions and Answers
Q5. The main responsibility of KDF is
A. Policing citizens
B. Defence and protection of Kenya’s sovereignty
C. Trade and border taxes
D. Diplomacy
Answer: B
Q6. The current Chief of Defence Forces (as at 2025) is appointed by
A. Parliament
B. Attorney General
C. The President
D. Senate
Answer: C
Q7. Kenya gained independence in
A. 1960
B. 1963
C. 1964
D. 1958
Answer: B
Q8. The official language of command in KDF is
A. Kiswahili
B. English
C. Sheng
D. French
Answer: B
Q9. The motto of Kenya Army is
A. Vigilance Forever
B. One People One Nation
C. Ulinzi Daima
D. Forward Ever
Answer: C
Q10. The East African Community currently has how many member states (2025)?
A. 5
B. 6
C. 7
D. 8
Answer: D (Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, South Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda, DRC, Somalia)
Q11. The naval base in Kenya is located at
A. Kajiado
B. Mombasa
C. Eldoret
D. Thika
Answer: B
Q12. KDF replaced which former name?
A. British East African Force
B. Kenya Armed Forces
C. East Kenya Regiment
D. Colonial Army
Answer: B
Q13. The KDF trains cadets at
A. Kiganjo
B. Kahawa Barracks
C. Kenya Military Academy – Lanet
D. Ruiru
Answer: C
Q14. Which of the following is NOT a branch of KDF?
A. Kenya Army
B. Kenya Navy
C. Kenya Coast Guard
D. Kenya Air Force
Answer: C
Q15. The Constitution of Kenya was promulgated in
A. 2008
B. 2010
C. 2012
D. 2015
Answer: B
Q16. KDF peacekeeping missions are often coordinated by
A. NATO
B. UN
C. AU only
D. Red Cross
Answer: B
Q17. The Kenya Defence Forces Act replaced which prior law?
A. Armed Forces Act
B. Defence Charter Act
C. National Security Bill
D. Military Reform Act
Answer: A
Q18. Which organ advises the President on KDF operations?
A. Defence Council
B. Public Service Board
C. Parliament
D. Judiciary
Answer: A
Q19. A recruit passes out after completing training at
A. Lanet
B. Eldoret Barracks
C. Moi Barracks – Eldoret
D. Recruits Training School (RTS) Eldoret
Answer: D
Q20. Which country is Kenya’s neighbour to the north?
A. Uganda
B. Tanzania
C. Ethiopia
D. Rwanda
Answer: C
70 Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) Cadet/Specialist & Trades Slots Past Questions and Answers
SECTION B: ENGLISH LANGUAGE (21–40)
Q21. Choose the correct spelling:
A. Deffence
B. Defence
C. Defanse
D. Defance
Answer: B
Q22. Which sentence is grammatically correct?
A. The soldiers was ready.
B. The soldier were ready.
C. The soldiers were ready.
D. The soldiers was read.
Answer: C
Q23. The opposite of “hostile” is
A. unfriendly
B. aggressive
C. peaceful
D. tense
Answer: C
Q24. Replace the underlined word with a synonym:
“The commander was brave.”
A. Cowardly
B. Fearless
C. Weak
D. Quiet
Answer: B
Q25. The plural of “barracks” is
A. barrack
B. barracks
C. barrackses
D. barrackers
Answer: B
Q26. Which sentence is in passive voice?
A. The army protects the borders.
B. The borders are protected by the army.
C. The borders protect the army.
D. The army is protecting.
Answer: B
Q27. “Morale” means:
A. Material condition
B. Emotional and mental readiness
C. Physical injury
D. Rank
Answer: B
Q28. Correct the sentence: “He do not obey orders.”
A. He did not obey orders
B. He does not obey orders
C. He don’t obey orders
D. He not obey orders
Answer: B
Q29. Choose the antonym of “courage”:
A. Valor
B. Strength
C. Fear
D. Honour
Answer: C
Q30. Choose the correctly punctuated sentence:
A. Discipline courage loyalty
B. Discipline, courage, loyalty
C. Discipline courage, loyalty
D. Discipline; courage loyalty
Answer: B
70 Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) Cadet/Specialist & Trades Slots Past Questions and Answers
SECTION B: ENGLISH LANGUAGE (continued) (31–40)
Q31. Which of the following is the correct indirect speech?
“‘We will report at 0600 hours,’ the recruits said.”
A. The recruits said they will report at 0600 hours.
B. The recruits said they would report at 0600 hours.
C. The recruits say they would report at 0600 hours.
D. The recruits said reporting at 0600 hours.
Answer: B
Q32. Choose the best connector: “He was injured ___ he continued with the mission.”
A. therefore
B. but
C. because
D. if
Answer: B
Q33. Fill in the correct preposition:
“The officer is responsible ___ the troop.”
A. of
B. for
C. to
D. over
Answer: B
Q34. Which is correct?
A. They has arrived
B. They have arrive
C. They have arrived
D. They are arrived
Answer: C
Q35. Choose the correct option:
“The commander gave a _____ speech.”
A. motive
B. motivated
C. motivation
D. motivational
Answer: D
Q36. Which word is closest in meaning to “deploy”?
A. Return
B. Withhold
C. Send out
D. Ignore
Answer: C
Q37. The noun form of “prepare” is
A. preparation
B. prepareness
C. preparate
D. preparedness
Answer: A
Q38. Choose the correct sentence:
A. Soldiers must maintains discipline.
B. Soldiers must maintain discipline.
C. Soldiers must maintaining discipline.
D. Soldiers must maintaines discipline.
Answer: B
Q39. The opposite of “mandatory” is
A. compulsory
B. optional
C. definite
D. absolute
Answer: B
Q40. Which suffix turns “Act” into a noun describing a person?
A. -or
B. -ly
C. -ing
D. -ful
Answer: A
(Actor)
70 Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) Cadet/Specialist & Trades Slots Past Questions and Answers
SECTION C: MATHEMATICS & REASONING (41–55)
Q41. 12 × 8 =
A. 80
B. 94
C. 96
D. 82
Answer: C
Q42. What is 3/5 of 100?
A. 30
B. 60
C. 75
D. 80
Answer: B
Q43. Find the next number: 2, 4, 8, 16, __
A. 20
B. 24
C. 32
D. 64
Answer: C
Q44. 75 ÷ 5 =
A. 10
B. 12
C. 13
D. 15
Answer: D
Q45. The square root of 144 is
A. 10
B. 12
C. 14
D. 11
Answer: B
Q46. A soldier runs 4 km every day for 7 days. How many kilometres in total?
A. 21
B. 24
C. 25
D. 28
Answer: D
Q47. If x + 7 = 15, then x =
A. 6
B. 7
C. 8
D. 9
Answer: C
Q48. 40% of 200 is
A. 40
B. 60
C. 80
D. 120
Answer: C
Q49. A watch costs 6,000 KES. If discounted by 10%, what is the new price?
A. 5,000
B. 5,400
C. 6,400
D. 4,800
Answer: B
Q50. 3 hours 30 minutes equals
A. 200 minutes
B. 160 minutes
C. 210 minutes
D. 180 minutes
Answer: C
70 Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) Cadet/Specialist & Trades Slots Past Questions and Answers
LOGICAL REASONING (51–60)
Q51. All officers are disciplined. Peter is an officer. Therefore Peter is
A. absent
B. careless
C. disciplined
D. unsure
Answer: C
Q52. Which comes next: Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, ___
A. Sat
B. Fri
C. Sun
D. Mon
Answer: B
Q53. If all privates are soldiers and all soldiers are men, then all privates are
A. officers
B. women
C. men
D. generals
Answer: C
Q54. Identify the odd number out: 2, 4, 6, 7, 8
A. 6
B. 7
C. 8
D. 4
Answer: B
Q55. Which number is half of 1/2?
A. 1
B. 1/4
C. 1/3
D. 2
Answer: B
70 Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) Cadet/Specialist & Trades Slots Past Questions and Answers
SECTION D: KENYAN AFFAIRS & MILITARY APTITUDE (61–70)
Q61. Kenya’s capital city is
A. Mombasa
B. Kisumu
C. Nairobi
D. Eldoret
Answer: C
Q62. Kenya’s national police service is headed by the
A. Chief Justice
B. Inspector General
C. Attorney General
D. KDF Commander
Answer: B
Q63. Which body handles national intelligence?
A. NIS
B. NPSC
C. NPA
D. IEBC
Answer: A
Q64. KDF participates in peacekeeping mostly under
A. AU and UN
B. NATO
C. EU
D. ECOWAS
Answer: A
Q65. The role of the Kenya Navy includes
A. Land patrol
B. Maritime security
C. Banking regulation
D. Taxation
Answer: B
Q66. The National Flag has how many colours?
A. 2
B. 3
C. 4
D. 5
Answer: C (Black, Red, Green, White Border)
Q67. Kenya’s currency is managed by
A. Central Bank of Kenya
B. Treasury
C. Senate
D. IMF
Answer: A
Q68. The KDF recruits under which ministry?
A. Interior
B. Defence
C. Foreign Affairs
D. Home Affairs
Answer: B
Q69. Which document governs KDF conduct?
A. KDF Act 2012
B. Penal Code
C. Police Act
D. Customs Act
Answer: A
Q70. The highest military rank in KDF is
A. Major
B. Colonel
C. General
D. Captain
Answer: C
