Military and police recruitment in Kenya, specifically for the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) and National Police Service, enforce strict physical requirements like height, dental health, and vision, which often lead to public debate and frustration among aspiring recruits. These standards are justified by the services for operational readiness, equipment handling, and psychological perception, despite criticisms of potentially excluding capable individuals.

• KDF generally requires male recruits to be at least 1.70 metres and female recruits 1.60 metres.
• A man from Baringo protested his exclusion from police recruitment due to height after eight years of attempts.
• Height is believed to aid in physical training, effective use of military equipment, and fostering a psychological perception of authority.