Chief of Defence Forces (Kenya)

The office is considered very important and highly prestigious, because the CDF has command authority over the Armed Forces. The chain of command is from the President (as the Commander in Chief), directly to the CDF. The CDF, as a Principal Adviser, does have authority over personnel assignments and oversight over resources and personnel allocated to the commands within the respective services. The Chairman may also transmit communications to the service commanders from the President. He also performs all other functions as assigned from time to time by the President. The CDF may also allocate those duties and responsibilities to other officers under his name.

Kenya puts requirement for the CDF position

1. Military Rank and Experience:
2. * The individual must be a senior officer, usually holding the rank of Major General, Lieutenant General and General before being considered for the position.
3. * They should have served in various high-ranking military positions and demonstrated effective leadership and strategic capabilities.
4. Training and Education:
5. * A graduate of a military academy or officer training school is typically required. For the Kenyan military, this would likely involve training at the Kenya Military Academy or similar institutions.
6. * Advanced military education, such as courses at top military institutions (e.g., National Defense College, Kenya or international military academies), would also be beneficial.
7. Proven Leadership and Service Record:
8. * A strong record of leadership and performance in combat or military operations. This includes experience in various military branches, such as infantry, artillery, or intelligence.
9. * Serving in significant roles during military operations and demonstrating success in managing and executing defense strategies.
10. Political and Administrative Understanding:
11. * The Chief of the Defense Forces in Kenya is not only a military leader but also plays a significant role in national security and policy decisions.
12. * Understanding the political environment and having strong relationships with political leaders is crucial. This includes cooperation with the President, the government, and Parliament.
13. Physical Fitness and Health:
14. * Military leaders are expected to maintain high physical fitness levels. The CDF must meet the physical standards for military service, ensuring their health and capability for the demanding role.
15. Trust and Loyalty:
16. * The CDF must have the trust of the government, the President of Kenya, and other senior officials. Political alignment and loyalty to the ruling government are crucial in appointments to such a prestigious position.
17. Leadership in National Defense Strategy:
18. * The individual must be capable of shaping Kenya's defense strategy, ensuring the military is prepared for national security threats, and leading the military in defense of the nation's interests.

• The term of the CDF in Kenya is not fixed but generally lasts several years. The CDF typically serves between 5 to 7 years, with the possibility of reappointment. The length of the term can vary based on political decisions, performance, or changes in government.

• President of Kenya typically appoints the Chief of the Defense Force and Deputy Chief of the Defense Force, often after consulting with other high-ranking military and Government officials.
• The appointment may also involve review and recommendations by senior military leadership.

{{Officeholder table start

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| officeholder_title = Chief of the General Staff

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{{Officeholder table

| order = 1

| image =

| military_rank = Major General

| officeholder = Robert Bernard Penfold

| officeholder_sort = Penfold, Robert

| born_year = 1916

| died_year = 2015

| term_start = 30 November 1966

| term_end = 31 May 1969

| timeinoffice = {{ayd|1966|11|30|1969|05|31}}

| defence_branch = {{army|Kenya}}

| ref = {{sfn|Hornsby|2012|p=180}}{{cite web|url=http://www.kcl.ac.uk/lhcma/locreg/PENFOLD.shtml|title=King's Collections : Archive Catalogues : Military Archives|work=kcl.ac.uk|access-date=25 April 2015}}

}}

{{Officeholder table

| order = 2

| image =

| military_rank = Major General

| officeholder = Joseph Musyimi Lele Ndolo

| officeholder_sort = Ndolo, Joseph

| born_year = 1921

| died_year = 1984

| term_start = 1 June 1969

| term_end = 24 June 1971

| timeinoffice = {{ayd|1969|06|01|1971|06|24}}

| defence_branch = {{army|Kenya}}

| ref = {{sfn|Hornsby|2012|p=228-229}}

}}

|-style="text-align:center;"

{{Officeholder table

| order = 3

| image =General Jackson Mulinge.jpg

| military_rank = General

| officeholder = Jackson Kimeu Mulinge

| officeholder_sort = Mulinge, Jackson

| born_year = 1924

| died_year = 2014

| term_start = 25 June 1971

| term_end = 1986

| timeinoffice = {{age in years|1971|1986}} years

| defence_branch = {{army|Kenya}}

| ref = {{sfn|Hornsby|2012|p=335-336}}{{cite web |author1=Nairobian reporter |title=Seven Kenya Defence Forces military generals you never wanted to mess with |url=https://www.sde.co.ke/thenairobian/article/2001256739/seven-kenya-defence-forces-military-generals-you-never-wanted-to-mess-with |website=SDE |access-date=13 August 2018}}

}}

{{Officeholder table

| order = 4

| image =

| military_rank = General

| officeholder = Mohamud Haji Barrow Mohamed

| officeholder_sort = Mohamed, Mahamoud

| born_year =

| died_year =

| term_start = 1986

| term_end = 1996

| timeinoffice = {{age in years|1986|1996}} years

| defence_branch = {{air force|Kenya}}

| ref = {{sfn|Hornsby|2012|p=554}}

}}

{{Officeholder table

| order = 5

| image =

| military_rank = General

| officeholder = Daudi Rerimoi Chepkong'a Tonje

| officeholder_sort = Tonje, Daudi

| born_year =

| died_year =

| term_start = 1996

| term_end = 30 November 2000

| timeinoffice = {{age in years|1996|2000}} years

| defence_branch = {{army|Kenya}}

| ref = {{sfn|Hornsby|2012|p=554}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.africa-confidential.com/article-preview/id/975/A_soldier%27s_story|title=A soldier's story}}

}}

{{Officeholder table

| order = 6

| image =

| military_rank = General

| officeholder = Joseph Raymond Edward Kibwana

| officeholder_sort = Kibwana, Joseph

| born_year =

| died_year =

| term_start = 1 December 2000

| term_end = 31 August 2005

| timeinoffice = {{ayd|2000|12|01|2005|08|31}}

| defence_branch = {{navy|Kenya}}

| ref =

}}

{{Officeholder table

| order = 7

| image = US ARMY AFRICA NF10 0016 (Kianga).jpg

| military_rank = General

| officeholder = Jeremiah Mutinda Kianga

| officeholder_sort = Kianga, Jeremiah

| born_year =

| died_year =

| term_start = 1 September 2005

| term_end = 12 July 2011

| timeinoffice = {{ayd|2005|09|01|2011|07|12}}

| defence_branch = {{army|Kenya}}

| ref =

}}

{{Officeholder table end}}

{{Officeholder table start

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| showimage = y

| image_title = Portrait

| officeholder_title = Chief of the Defence Forces

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{{Officeholder table

| order = 1

| image = General Julius Waweru Karangi Chief of Defense Force of Kenya in 2014 (cropped).jpg

| military_rank = General

| officeholder = Julius Waweru Karangi

| officeholder_sort = Karangi, Julius

| born_year = 1951

| died_year =

| term_start = 13 July 2011

| term_end = 4 May 2015

| timeinoffice = {{ayd|2011|07|13|2015|05|04}}

| defence_branch = {{air force|Kenya}}

| ref =

}}

{{Officeholder table

| order = 2

| image = 2015 12 25 Kenya's CDF-4 (23899946181).jpg

| military_rank = General

| officeholder = Samson Jefwa Mwathethe

| officeholder_sort = Mwathethe, Samson

| born_year = 1958

| died_year =

| term_start = 5 May 2015

| term_end = 10 May 2020

| timeinoffice = {{ayd|2015|05|05|2020|05|10}}

| defence_branch = {{navy|Kenya}}

| ref = {{cite web |last1=Ramadhan |first1=Khatib |title=Navy General takes over as new Chief of Kenya Defence Forces |url=http://www.theioo.com/index.php/en/security/item/462-navy-general-takes-over-as-new-chief-of-kenya-defence-forces |website=Indian Ocean Observer |access-date=13 August 2018 |location=Mombasa |date=1 May 2015}}

}}

{{Officeholder table

| order = 3

| image = Robert Kariuki Kibochi (51869767008) (cropped).jpg

| military_rank = General

| officeholder = Robert Kariuki Kibochi

| officeholder_sort = Kibochi, Robert

| born_year = 1959

| died_year =

| term_start = 11 May 2020

| term_end = 28 April 2023

| timeinoffice = {{ayd|2020|05|11|2023|04|28}}

| defence_branch = {{army|Kenya}}

| ref = {{cite news |last1=Agutu |first1=Nancy |title=Robert Kibochi sworn in as new Chief of Kenya Defence Forces |url=https://www.the-star.co.ke/news/2020-05-11-robert-kibochi-sworn-in-as-new-chief-of-kenya-defence-forces/ |access-date=5 July 2020 |work=the-star.co.ke |agency=The Star |date=11 May 2020}}

}}

{{Officeholder table

| order = 4

| image =Francis Omondi Ogolla.jpg

| military_rank = General

| officeholder = Francis Omondi Ogolla

| officeholder_sort = Ogolla, Francis

| born_year = 1962

| died_year = 2024

| term_start = 28 April 2023

| term_end = 18 April 2024

| timeinoffice = {{ayd|2023|04|28|2024|04|18}}

| defence_branch = {{air force|Kenya}}

| ref = {{cite web | url=https://www.businessdailyafrica.com/bd/economy/francis-omondi-ogolla-succeeds-robert-kibochi-as-kdf-chief-4216314 | title=Francis Omondi Ogolla succeeds Robert Kibochi as KDF chief | date=28 April 2023 }}

}}

{{Officeholder table

| order = 5

| image =Charles Muriu Kahariri.jpg

| military_rank = General

| officeholder = Charles Muriu Kahariri

| officeholder_sort = Kahariri, Charles

| born_year = 1966

| died_year =

| term_start = 18 April 2024

| term_end = incumbent

| timeinoffice = {{ayd|2024|04|18}}

| defence_branch = {{navy|Kenya}}

| ref = {{cite web |last1=Ombati |first1=Cyrus |title= Gen Charles Kahariri to act as CDF after Ogolla's death |url=https://www.the-star.co.ke/news/realtime/2024-04-19-lt-gen-charles-kahariri-to-act-as-cdf-after-ogollas-death/ |website=The Star |access-date=23 April 2024 |language=en-KE}}

}}

{{Officeholder table end}}

{{reflist}}

{{refbegin}}

• {{cite book |last=Hornsby |first=Charles |title=Kenya: A History Since Independence |year=2012 |publisher=I. B. Tauris |location=London/New York |isbn=978-1-84885-886-2}}

{{refend}}

{{Military of Kenya}}

{{Chief of military by country}}

Category:Military of Kenya

Kenya