A group of women soldiers on Sunday, April 16, surprised Retired General Daudi Tonje with gifts and words of encouragement.
The Ex-women soldiers visited Tonje at his home in the outskirts of Kitale in Trans Nzoia County, to celebrate him for the reforms he introduced in the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF).
Tonje who served as KDF's Chief of Staff, was being celebrated for the role he played in ensuring that women comfortably serve.
"Mama Ngina Kenyatta asked Jomo why aren't there female KDF officers. As one of the personnel, I was granted the task to ensure women are included in the military," Tonje stated during the event at his home.
He is also credited for looking into the welfare of women in military service. At the time, women in the armed forces were not allowed to marry or have children.
This was followed by allowing women soldiers to marry and ensuring that promotions in the force were pegged on academic performance.
"Imagine heading out to the military parade while pregnant. I gave birth to my firstborn and continued with the work," stated one of the Ex-soldiers.
Until 1999, female soldiers were not allowed to marry, the reason was that married women could not multitask between work and family.
Tonje was also recognized for the introduction of four-year-term limits for the Chief of the Defecse Forces (CDF) position, which was previously known as the Chief of General Staff.
"General Mulinge worked as Chief of General Staff for 14 years, General Mohammed served in the same capacity for 11 years, then I took over and introduced term limits for others to serve," Tonje explained.
As a result of Tonje's proposal on the rotational pattern, President Moi appointed his successor Joseph Kibwana from the Kenya Navy). Kibwana was later succeeded by Jeremiah Kianga from Kenya Army.
He is proud of the reforms he introduced during his tenure, which he noted improved working conditions for military women.
Tonje joined the army in 1962 and got military training at Hifford Barracks in Lanet, Nakuru county.
The army man rose through the military ranks to become KDF boss between 1996 to 2000 when he retired, ahead of the late President Daniel Moi's exit from power in December 2002.
Faith Kipyegon Makes History Again News Just In
