Three KDF Trainees Pronounced Dead After Collapsing During Training

Three Kenya Defence Forces recruits died on Thursday, 29 January, after developing medical complications during a scheduled endurance exercise at the Defence Forces Recruits Training School in Eldoret, Uasin Gishu County.

In a statement issued on Friday, the military said the recruits became unwell while taking part in a routine drill that forms part of the training programme. Medical staff at the facility provided immediate first aid before transferring the recruits to Eldoret Regional Hospital, where they were pronounced dead shortly after arrival despite treatment efforts.

The Kenya Defence Forces said the families of the deceased had been informed and were receiving support. The military expressed its condolences to the families, fellow recruits and colleagues, and reaffirmed its commitment to maintaining safety and professionalism across all training institutions.

A formal investigation has been launched in line with military procedures to establish the circumstances that led to the deaths. Officials said the findings would be used to review safety measures and improve the welfare of recruits during training.

The incident follows a series of recent fatalities linked to security training programmes. Earlier this month, a recruit at the Administration Police College died after falling ill during training, while another trainee at the Kiganjo Police Training College was killed when a vehicle struck recruits during a morning run, injuring 27 others.

Previous cases have also raised concerns about the physical demands of recruitment exercises. In October 2025, two university students died during military recruitment in Bungoma County. In November 2023, four recruits died from internal bleeding at the Eldoret training school. Similar incidents have been reported at training facilities in Malindi and Garissa.

Endurance training remains a core component of military preparation, but the repeated loss of recruits has intensified scrutiny of medical safeguards during exercises.