The amazing profile of one Major Faith Mwagandi is captivating and one that challenges other women to take up careers in male-dominated fields.
Mwagandi, who hails from Magarini Sub-county in Kilifi, steers Kenya Navy's warship, KNS Shupavu, in Somalia, serving under Amisom.
The Standard was first to report that the major schooled at Moi Girls Eldoret, where she attained an A and hoped to join the university to study medicine. She, however, was admitted to Kenyatta University to study art.
After three weeks, the mother of five enlisted as a cadet following KDF's advertisement and was lucky to join the Kenya Military Academy in Lanet in 2007.
"I was eager for a quick career change after my disappointment in being left out to do medicine," she proudly affirmed.
She graduated with a diploma in military science and later a degree from Egerton University. She also trained aboard and served at Manda, Mombasa and Mtongwe Navy bases.
"During the conversion training, we attended both classwork, went to sea and did administrative training," she stated. Her first task was at KNS Galana, a logistic Navy vessel.
She later earned a scholarship to Brittania Royal Naval College in May 2010, for the Royal Navy Young Officer's Course. Upon her return to Kenya, she became a tutor at Kenya Navy Training School.
In 2016, Mwagandi became a navigating officer aboard Kenya's first research vessel, RV Mtafiti and later became a principal warfare officer aboard KNS Shujaa in 2017, before being deployed to Somalia.
"KDF offers equal opportunities for all genders and does not discriminate," Mwangagi lauded.
