On April 17, 2019, former Chief of the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) General Samson Mwathethe was pictured with the newly appointed Defence Forces Sergeant Major Warrant Officer 1 (WOI) Elijah Koranga at the Defence Headquarters, Nairobi.
Sergeant Major Koranga has managed to maintain a low-profile, a trait that almost seems natural to all servicemen and women. However, on June 29, 2020, he opened up on his life in the army, going on to share intimate details of his role in the KDF.
"The role of the Defense Forces Sergeant Major (DFSM) is very diverse. It used to be only limited to overseeing drills and disciplining the KDF but now it is more diverse. I am now the chief advisor to the Chief of Defence Forces, and I also oversee the welfare of soldiers and their families," he explained.
Donned in his military uniform complete with the kind of badges that warrant salutes at any military establishment, the DFSM recounted enlisting for the army in 1984, joining as a recruit.
His astute discipline saw him gradually make his way up the ranks, a trait he reiterated was vital for anyone looking to enlist in the army.
Sergeant Major Koranga has done 2 tours, one was a peacekeeping mission in Sierra Leone while the other was the capture of the Port of Kismayu in Somalia under the African Union Mission to Somalia (AMISOM) banner.
He remembers the latter quite fondly, stating that he was very proud to be part of the team that actually captured the port and opened it up for trade, freeing it from the hands of Al Shabaab militia.
The stoic-faced soldier stated that the proudest moment of his distinguished career was when he got to explain all 11 small arms in the KDF arsenal to then-president Mwai Kibaki, as the forces marked the first-ever Army Day in 2011.
He further revealed that his long service has impacted his personal life immensely by sharpening his leadership skills as well as boosting his people skills, confessing to having been shy prior to joining the military.
The Ministry of Defence headquarters is located at Ulinzi House off Lenana Road in Nairobi. It is headed by the Cabinet Secretary - Monica Juma who is responsible to the President and Commander – in – Chief on matters of policy.
Chief of the Defence Forces (CDF) - Currently General Robert Kibochi, who is the professional head of the three Kenya Defence Forces Services and the Principal Military Advisor to the Commander – in – Chief. He is also responsible for the control, direction and general superintendence of the Defence Forces.
Watch Sergeant Major Koranga's interview below:
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