The Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) is known as one of the most professional and disciplined armies across the globe
This is evidenced by the several peace-keeping missions it has participated in and continues to indulge in around the world.
From Liberia to Kosovo and missions in Somalia to the Democratic Republic of Congo, the KDF has proven its capabilities again and again.
Here are the 10 chiefs who have consistently ensured KDF's success on the world stage:
Chief of the General Staff
Major General Robert Bernard Penfold
He was the commander of the King’s African Rifles under the British Army before Kenya attained independence.
He had served in Tanganyika and Hong Kong. He served as the Chief of Defence Staff from 1966 to 1969.
Major General Joseph Musyimi Ndolo
He was the first Kenyan to lead the army after independence.
He was the Chief of General Staff from 1969 to 1971 after a stint at the King’s African Rifles.
General Jackson Kimeu Mulinge
He is the longest-serving military boss Kenya has ever had. He led the army for 15 years, from 1971 to 1986.
General Mohamud Haji Barrow Mohamed
He was the commander of the Kenya Air Force in 1982 and was actively involved in stopping the coup against former President Daniel Moi instigated by junior air force soldiers.
He led the army for 10 years from 1986 to 1996.
General Daudi Tonje
Tonje introduced the Tonje Rules that fundamentally changed how the army operates. He led the army for 4 years, from 1996 to 2000.
Some of the rules include mandatory age limits for military chiefs at 62 years or a maximum of four years at the helm, whichever comes first. Also, the top seat would be rotated between the Kenya Army, Kenya Navy, and the Kenya Air Force. Tonje was from the Kenya Army.
The rules also made it mandatory for Lieutenant-Generals to serve in that position for four years or retire at 58.
Additionally, all commissioned officers from second lieutenant up to the top general serve for a specified number of years in a certain position and are either promoted or retired. He also pegged the promotions of officers on academic performance.
General Joseph Kibwana
He was the first Navy officer to lead the KDF as Chief of General Staff thanks to the Tonje Rules. He served at the helm for four years, from 2000 to 2005.
General Jeremiah Muinda Kianga
He was the first appointee of former President Mwai Kibaki.
He led the army’s operation in Mt. Elgon against the Sabaot Land Defence Force (SLDF) where the army was able to restore calm to the region.
He was the last Chief of General Staff and served from 2005 to 2011, two more years than the Tonje Rules prescribed.
Chief of the Defence Forces
General Julius Waweru Karangi
He is the one that led Kenya’s operation into Somalia in ‘Operation Linda Nchi’ in 2011.
He was the first to hold the title of Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) and was from the Air Force. He served for four years, from 2011 to 2015.
General Samson Jefwa Mwathethe
He was the first appointee of former President Uhuru Kenyatta.
He served as CDF from 2015 to 2019. However, the president gave him a one-year extension such that he served until May 2020.
General Robert Kariuki Kibochi
He is the first CDF to hold a PhD. On July 22, 2022, he graduated with a Doctor of Philosophy from Kenya University. His studies included peace and conflict management.
He also holds a master’s degree in international studies and computer information systems and a bachelor’s degree in technology in communication and electronics engineering.
He served for 3 years, from May 2020 to April 28, 2023.
General Francis Omondi Ogolla
He is the first CDF appointee of President William Ruto.
He was promoted to the rank of General and appointed as the CDF by President Ruto on April 28, 2023.
He attended École Militaire de Paris, France, in 1984.
It is the same military school Napoleon Bonaparte attended in 1784.
The KDF has its roots in the Mau Mau uprising and the King’s African Rifles before Kenya got independence on December 12, 1963.
