KENYA DEFENCE FORCES COMMANDERS

General (Dr.) Julius Karangi EGH CBS DCO ndc psc(K)

Gen (Dr) Julius W Karangi EGH CBS DCO ndc psc (K)
Chief of the Defence Forces
Gen (Dr) Julius Waweru Karangi joined Kenya Air Force in 1973 and after Cadet training in UK , he was
commissioned as an officer in 1974. After qualifying as a Flight Navigator in October 1975 in the Royal Air Force in
England , he was posted to Flying Wing Kenya Air Force where he worked as a Navigator.
Gen (Dr) Julius Waweru Karangi has been trained in Kenya , United Kingdom (UK), India and United States He has
served as an officer in charge of the management of the American Military Aid to Kenya , Officer in charge of the
Research Department in the Defence Headquarters, Commander of an Air Defence Battalion in Kenya Air Force,
Liaison officer in Sarajevo (Bosnia), Senior Military Liaison Officer in Belgrade (Serbia), Senior Military Observer in
Belgrade and Croatia all with the United Nations as a peacekeeper in 1992/93, Staff Officer in Kenya Air Force
Headquarters in charge of Administration, Personnel and Logistics, instructor in Defence Staff College and the Armed
Forces Training College, Lanet.
In 1995, he was appointed the Commander of a Kenya Air Force Base, Moi Air Base. In 1997, he was appointed the
Commander of the Kenya Air Force Logistics Command. In 1998, he was posted to Defence Headquarters and
appointed Chief Procurement of the Kenya Defence Forces. In May 1999, he was appointed to a senior position of
Assistant Chief of Defence Forces at Defence Headquarters in charge of Training, Doctrine and Procurement for the
Kenya Defence Forces.
Gen(Dr) Karangi was appointed Commandant Defence Staff College , Karen where he worked between Dec 2000-
Nov 2003 in the rank of Major General , after which he was appointed Commander Kenya Air Force and served from
Nov 2003 to 10th Aug 2005. On 10th August 2005, he was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant General and appointed
Vice Chief of Defence Forces, Defence Headquarters.On 13th July 2011 he was promoted to the rank of General and
appointed the new Chief of Defence Forces(CDF), his current position.
General (Dr) Karangi holds a Masters of Science (MSc) Degree in Security and Risk Management from the University
of Leicester (UK),an Honorary Doctorate on Humane Letters (Honoris Causa )from Kenyatta University,Kenya and is
also a recipient of the United States of America Award of Degree of Commander,The Legion of Merit.He also holds
National Honours and Awards of Elder of the Order of the Golden Heart (EGH), Chief of the Order of the Burning
Spear (CBS) and Distinguished Conduct Order (DCO).
General(Dr) Karangi is married to Mrs. Mary Karangi and they are blessed with three children, two daughters and a
son.

Lieutenant General Samson Mwathethe MGH MBS DCO ndc(K)
psc(UK)

Lt Gen Samson J Mwathethe MBS DCO ndc(K) psc(UK)
Vice Chief of Defence Forces
Lt Gen Samson J Mwathethe was born in Malindi and educated at Shimo La Tewa and Sacred Heart High Schools
Mombasa, before joining the Kenya Navy in April 1978. He was commissioned in 1980 as a Seaman Officer after
attending Britannia Royal Naval College , Dartmouth .
His other professional and military training include International Sub-Lieutenants Course (UK), International Principal
Warfare (IPWO) Course (UK), Missiles Course (ITALY) and the Royal Naval Staff College , Greenwich , ( UK ) in
1989. He also attended the Defence Resource Management Course in Monterey , USA in 1998, and the National
Defence College in Nairobi , Kenya in 2000.
Lt Gen Mwathethe is currently the Vice Chief of Defence Forces and has held various command appointments
including Kenya Navy Commander, Deputy Kenya Navy Commander, Kenya Navy logistics Commander, Base
Commander Mtongwe and Fleet Commander. His other appointments included Chief of Systems & Procurement,
Department of Defence, Command of individual Kenya Navy Ships, SOII Operations at Navy Headquarters, 86
Squadron Commander, and SOI Co-ordination at the Department of Defence.
He also served with the United Nations as a Military Observer in Kuwait/Iraq and Yugoslavia in 1991/92. His
decorations include Distinguished Conduct Order (DCO), Moran of the Burning Spear (MBS), among others.

KENYA ARMY
The Army Commander Lieutenant General Joseph K Kasaon MGH CBS DCO ndc (K) cgsc ( USA )
Lieutenant General Joseph Kiptoo Kasaon is currently the Army Commander following his appointment on 13 July
2011. He has a Military career spanning close to 35 years having been commissioned in 1976. Prior to his current
appointment, he was the Commandant National Defence College, Kenya.
In 1976, he attended Cadet Officer training course at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst (UK). After
commissioning, he was posted to 5 KR as a platoon Commander.
Lieutenant General Kasaon has served in various capacities, among others as Commanding Officer 9 KR,
Commandant School of Infantry, Head Of Writing Team at Defence Staff College, Colonel Intelligence at the Military
Intelligence Corps, Chief of Operations Headquarters Kenya Army, Chief of Operations Defence Headquarters,
Commandant School of Combat, General Officer Commanding Eastern Command, Senior Directing Staff, Army at
National Defence College and Commandant National Defence College Kenya.

DEPUTY ARMY COMMANDER- Maj Gen J M Ondiek EBS NDC (CHINA) cgsc (USA)


Lt Gen Joseph K Kasaon
MGH CBS DCO ndc (K)
cgsc ( USA )
Current Kenya Army
Commander
Lt Gen J K Tuwei 05/12/08 Lt Gen A S K Njoroge
10/8/2005 to 05/12/08
Lt Gen J M Kianga 1/3/2003
to 10/8/05
Lt Gen L K Sumbeiywo
1/12/2000 to 28/2/2003
Lt Gen A Abdullahi
9/6/1998 to 30/11/2000
Lt Gen A K Arap Cheruiyot
28/6/1994 to 7/6/1998
Lt Gen D R C Tonje
1/12/1993 to 22/6/1994

Lt Gen J L Lengees
28/2/1986 to 30/11/1993

Lt Gen J M Sawe
5/12/1981 to 27/2/1986

Maj Gen M H Mohamed
3/1/1981 to 14/12/1981

Maj Gen J M Sawe
13/12/1978 to 2/1/1981




Maj Gen J K Nzioka
1/12/1978 to 12/12/1979

Brig J K Mulinge 1/6/1969
to 30/6/1971Maj Gen J K
Mulinge 1/7/1971 to
22/11/1978
Brig J M L Ndolo 1/12/1966
to 31/5/1969
Brig A J Hardy 1/5/1964 to
30/11/1966
Maj Gen H I Freeland
12/12/63 to 30/4/64 The last
commander of the Kings
African Rifles and the first
commander of the Kenya
Army.


Commander Kenya Air Force
Maj Gen Samuel Thuita EBS, OGW, ndc psc (K
Maj Gen Samuel Thuita was enlisted in the Kenya Air Force as an Officer Cadet in May 1978. He trained at the
present Kenya Military Academy (KMA) and Commissioned to the rank of 2nd Lieutenant in March 1979.
He underwent his early training in various military schools in the UK and USA qualifying as an Air Defence Officer
and a certified instructor in both operations and technical maintenance of Radar Controlled Missile Systems.
Maj Gen Thuita is a graduate of the Defence Staff College (DSC) and the National Defence College (NDC) of Kenya
in Strategic Studies and International Studies from University of Nairobi (IDIS). He is also a graduate of Defence
Diplomacy from Canfield University (UK), Defence Resources Management and the Executive Programme in
Defence Decision Making from Naval Post Graduate School (USA). He is an Alumni and a Highest Award Winner for
Achievement of the Dale Carnegie (USA) Leadership Courses.
Maj Gen Thuita has held various Command appointments including the Commanding Officer, Air Defence Control
Unit (ADCU), Commandant Defence Headquarters Camp Admin Unit (CAU) and Base Commander Moi Air Base
(MAB).
As a staff Officer, he has worked in Personnel, Logistics, Training and Operations branches at the Kenya Air Force
HQs and Defence HQs. Key positions he held includes Chief of Strategic Plans and Policy, Chief of Logistics and
also Assistant Chief of Defence Forces Personnel and Logistics (ACDF P&L) at Defence HQs.
Maj Gen Thuita served with the United Nations in the former Yugoslavia (UNPROFOR) as a Force Headquarters
Operations Officer in 1992/93 and at the USA CENTCOM Tampa Florida, as Kenyas Senior National Representative
in the coalition war against terror in 2007/08.
He is decorated with various honours and awards among them, the Elder of the Burning Spear (EBS), the Order of
the Grand Warrior (OGW), Operation Linda Nchi Medal and the UN Medal.
With his late wife, Rachel, they are blessed with three grown up children (a son and two daughters) and he is a
grandfather to two grandchildren. His hobbies includes reading and nature conservation.

Deputy Commander, Kenya Air Force
Brigadier Francis Omondi Ogola
Brig Francis Omondi Ogolla Joined Kenya Air Force on 24 April 1984 and was commissioned to the rank of 2nd
lieutenant on 6 May 1985.
Brig Ogolla trained as a fighter pilot with USAF and is also an instructor pilot. He trained in other fields including
imagery intelligence, counter terrorism and accident investigation. He has held several appointments in training and
command in various ranks as captain squadron pilot, a major flying instructor at the KAF Flying Training School and
as a Commanding Officer of Tactical Fighter Wing in the rank of a Lieutenant Colonel. He later served as Base
Commander Laikipia Air Base in the ranks of Colonel and Brigadier before his appointment to the position of Deputy
Commander Kenya Air Force.
Brigadier Ogolla is a graduate of cole Militaire de Paris and National Defence College of Kenya. He holds a Diploma
in International Studies, Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and Armed Conflict and Peace Studies, First Class
Honors, University of Nairobi and due to graduate with Master of Arts in International Studies University of Nairobi.
He is married with two children and his hobbies include reading and golf.

KAF Past Commanders
KAF Past Commanders



Maj Gen S N Thuita,
14th KAF Commander.
Current KAF
Commander
Maj Gen Joff
Otieno,13th KAF
Commander.2012-
2014
Maj Gen H M Tangai,
12th KAF Commander
2005-2011.
Maj Gen J W Karangi,
11th KAF
Commander.2003-
2005.
Currently the Chief
of Defence Forces.

Maj Gen S K Mutai,
10th KAF Commander.
2000-2003
Maj Gen N L Leshan,
9th KAF
Commander.Later on
promoted to Lt Gen
and appointed VCGS.
1994-2000
Maj Gen D K Wachira,
8th KAF Commander.
1989-1994
Maj Gen D N Gichuru,
7th KAF Commander.
1986 1989

Lieutenant General
Mahmood Mohamed,
6th KAF Commander.
Later on became the
Chief of General Staff.
1982-1986
Maj Gen Kariuki,5th
KAF Commander.
Relieved of his
Command and jailed
by court martial for
four years regarding
1982 coup attempt
charges. 1980-1982
Colonel Gichuru, 4th
KAF Commander and
the first indigenous
Kenyan to hold the
post. 1973-1980
Group Captain J
Edwards CBE AFC,
3rd KAF Commander.


Group Captain F
Rothwell DFC TD,2nd
KAF Commander.
Group Captain
Stockwell CBE DFC,
1st KAF Commander
after independent.


Commanders of the Kenya Air Force
The first post-independence, Kenya Air Force Commander, Group Capt Stockwell handed over command of the
Kenya Air Force to Group Capt F Rothwell DFC TD on 22 February 1967 who later handed over to Group Capt David
John Edwards CBE FC in August 1971. On 17 April 1973 Colonel Dedan Gichuru became the first indigenous Kenya
Air Force Commander at age 30. He held office until 27 June 1980 when he handed over to Major General P M
Kariuki.
It was during Major General Kariukis time that some junior members of the Kenya Air Force were involved in an
attempted coup to overthrow the government led by Spte Hezekiah Ochuka (29) and Sgt Pancras Oteyo Akumu (33).
Both were found guilty and sentenced to death alongside three Corporals and a Sergeant. On 12 August 1982 Major
General Kariuki was relieved of his appointment, tried by a court martial and sentenced to four years imprisonment on
18 January 1983. The coup attempt led to the disbandment of the Kenya Air Force and its renaming to 82 Air Force
with Major General Mohamoud Mohamed being appointed Commander. Also renamed was KAF Eastleigh and KAF
Nanyuki stations to Moi and Laikipia Air Bases respectively.Others changes included the disbandment of
GADU,change of Air Force uniform,flag and motto-from Twatumika Tukiwa Angani to Tuko Imara Angani
On 27 February 1986, Dedan Gichuru, now a Major General was appointed for the second time as the 7 th Air Force
Commander a post he held upto 10 May 1989 when he retired from the service. He handed over to Major General D
K Wachira. It was during Major General Wachiras time that the 82 Air Force reverted to it former name- The Kenya
Air Force following a court ruling in which Capt Murungi had challenged its legality. Major General Wachira handed
over to Major General N Leshan who held the office from 28 June 1994 to 1 December 2000 upon being posted to
DHQ as ACGS and later on promoted to Lt Gen and appointed VCGS. Taking over was Major General S K Muttai
who held office upto 27 November 2003 upon being posted to DHQ as ACGS. He handed over to Major General J W
Karangi who held office upto 10 August 2005 upon promotion to Lt Gen and appointed VCGS portfolio.
Major General H Tangai succeeded him on 10 August 2005 and served until 13 July 2011. Maj Gen Joff Otieno took
over office on 13 July 2011 until 30 July 2014 when he retired from the service.
The current Air Force Commander is Maj Gen Samuel Nganga Thuita whose term in office started on 30 July 2014
to date.

Kenya Navy Past Commanders


Major General Ngewa
Mukala
Kenya Navy Commander
13 Jul 2011 to Date
Lt Gen Samson J
Mwathethe MGH
MBS DCO ndc(K)
psc(UK)
01 Dec 2006 12 Jul
2011
Current Vice Chief of
Defence Forces
Major General Pastior O
Awitta
01 Dec 2001 30 Nov
2006
Major General Rafrouf
01 May 1998 31 Oct
2001
General JRE Kibwana,
20 Apr 1988 30 Apr
1998
Major General E S
Mbilu
11 Feb 1978 19 Apr
1988
Lt Col JCJ Kimaro
01 Jan 1972 10 Feb
1978
Commander A A Pearse
(RN)
13 Aug 1967 13 Oct
1969
Commander AMC
Walker (RN)12 Dec 1964
12 Aug 1967
Commander WAE Hall
(RN)14 Oct 1969 31
Dec 1971







Kenyanisation of the Navy

The late Lieutenant Colonel Jimmy C J Kimaro (then Captain) became the first Kenyan officer to take command of a
Naval ship when he joined KNS Simba in March 1970.
Command of other ships was transferred to Kenyan officers within three months. Lieutenant Colonel Kimaro was
immediately thereafter appointed the first Kenya Senior Officer Patrol Craft at the rank of Major.
The Kenyanisation of the Navy proceeded at a fast pace culminating in his appointment as the first Kenyan Navy
Commander on 1 November 1972. This marked a historical occasion in the Kenya Navy.

Lt Gen JRE Kibwana
The first African Commander who took over command in late 1972 died in a tragic road accident in early 1978.

Major General ES Mbilu
The late Lieutenant Colonel Kimaro had worked hard during the short time he was in command. He left a Navy which
was all Kenyan. He had also managed to expand it both in personnel and facilities. Major General ES Mbilu took over
Command of the Navy in 1978 and left on retirement in early 1988, to be replaced by Major General JRE Kibwana.

Major General A A Rafrouf
The 7th Kenya Navy Commander was Major General A A Rafrouf who commissioned in January 1967 on successful
completion of his Officer Cadet training at the Britannia Royal Naval College, Dartmouth, UK. He attended Grade II
Staff Course, India in 1977 and Royal College of Defence Studies, London in 1997.
Major General Rafrouf has held administrative appointments in the Naval Base and staff appointments at both the
Navy and Defence Headquarters. He served as Directing Staff (Naval) at the Defence Staff College, Karen between
1986-90 and was thereafter appointed Defence Attache to Pakistan. He was Base Commander, Mtongwe between
1993-96 and served as the Deputy Navy Commander from January-April 1998. He was promoted to Major General
and was appointed the Navy Commander in May, 1998. He served in that position until he retired in 2002.
His awards include the Kenyatta Commemorative Medal, the Presidential Installation Medal and Ten Great Years of
Nyayo Era Medal. He is a laureate of Moran of the Order the Golden Heart (MGH) and the Chief of the Order of the
Burning Spear (CBS).
On retirement, Major General Rafrouf was replaced as Kenya Navy Commander by Major General Pastor O Awitta.
Major General Awitta is an alumni of the prestigious National Defence College, Nairobi, Kenya and was
commissioned as an Officer Cadet on 15 December 1973.


Major General Pastor O Awitta
A specialist in Sea Navigation and Logistics, he first served on board KNS Mamba, which together with KNS Jamhuri
and KNS Harambee, formed the Second post-independence Squadron. He has held various Operational, Staff and
Logistics appointments, including appointments as Base Supply Officer, Staff Supply Officer II and later Staff Supply
Officer I, Kenya Navy Headquarters.
Major General Awitta commanded the Naval Supply Depot at Mtongwe and was later on posted to Defence
Headquarters (DOD) and appointed Deputy Chief of Logistics in charge of Supply and Technical Services. He has
also commanded Naval Logistics Command at Kenya Navy Headquarters. The Navy Commander is a graduate of
Britannia Royal Naval College (BRNC) Dartmouth, UK. He later studied Supply and Materials Management and was
awarded a Diploma in International Purchasing and Supplies. The Commander did his Staff Course at the Naval War
College in the United States of America. In his earlier years he did various courses in the USA on Coast Patrol
Gunboat Engineering Systems Operations and Maintenance, Fire Fighting, Officer Basic Aid to Navigation, Safety
and Law Enforcement and International Defence Management. He is a recipient of the Elder of the Burning Spear
(EBS) and Moran of the Order of the Golden Heart (MGH) Awards . Before taking over command of Kenya Navy, he
served as the Deputy Commander under Major General (Rtd) A Rafrouf.