Chief of Defence Forces (Kenya)

The Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) is the highest-ranking military officer in the Kenya Defence Forces and the principal military adviser to the President of Kenya and the National Security Council. The CDF outranks all respective heads of each service branch and has operational command authority over the service branches. He leads the meetings and coordinates the efforts of the Service Commander, comprising the CDF, the Commander of the Kenya Army and Kenya Air Force, Kenya Navy and the Commandant of Military Intelligence. The CDF has offices in Ulinzi House. Following the 2010 Constitution, the Chief of the General Staff was replaced with the Chief of the Defence Forces.^[1]

Chief of the Kenya Defence Forces
Standard of the Kenya Defence Forces
Incumbent Charles Muriu Kahariri since 2 May 2024
National Security Council
Abbreviation	CDF
Member of	Kenya Defence Forces
Reports to	President of Kenya
Residence	Ulinzi House
Seat	Ulinzi House
Nominator	Defence Council
Appointer	President of Kenya
Term length	Serve a single term of four (4) years or retire upon the attaining of the mandatory retirement age
Constituting instrument	Article 241 of the Constitution of Kenya
First holder	Bernard Penfold
Deputy	Vice Chief of the Defence Forces
Website	Official website

Duties

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.

General Requirement

Kenya puts requirement for the CDF position

1. Military Rank and Experience:
   • The individual must be a senior officer, usually holding the rank of Major General, Lieutenant General and General before being considered for the position.
   • They should have served in various high-ranking military positions and demonstrated effective leadership and strategic capabilities.
2. Training and Education:
   • 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.
   • Advanced military education, such as courses at top military institutions (e.g., National Defense College, Kenya or international military academies), would also be beneficial.
3. Proven Leadership and Service Record:
   • 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.
   • Serving in significant roles during military operations and demonstrating success in managing and executing defense strategies.
4. Political and Administrative Understanding:
   • 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.
   • Understanding the political environment and having strong relationships with political leaders is crucial. This includes cooperation with the President, the government, and Parliament.
5. Physical Fitness and Health:
   • 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.
6. Trust and Loyalty:
   • 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.
7. Leadership in National Defense Strategy:
   • 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.

Time Span

• 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.

Appointment Process

• 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.

List of chiefs

Chief of the General Staff

No.	Portrait	Chief of the General Staff	Took office	Left office	Time in office	Defence branch	Ref.
1		Penfold, RobertMajor General Robert Bernard Penfold (1916–2015)	30 November 1966	31 May 1969	2 years, 182 days	Kenya Army	[2][3]
2		Ndolo, JosephMajor General Joseph Musyimi Lele Ndolo (1921–1984)	1 June 1969	24 June 1971	2 years, 23 days	Kenya Army	[4]
3		Mulinge, JacksonGeneral Jackson Kimeu Mulinge (1924–2014)	25 June 1971	1986	14–15 years	Kenya Army	[5][6]
4		Mohamed, MahamoudGeneral Mohamud Haji Barrow Mohamed	1986	1996	9–10 years	Kenya Air Force	[7][6]
5		Tonje, DaudiGeneral Daudi Rerimoi Chepkong'a Tonje	1996	30 November 2000	3–4 years	Kenya Army	[7][6][8]
6		Kibwana, JosephGeneral Joseph Raymond Edward Kibwana	1 December 2000	31 August 2005	4 years, 273 days	Kenya Navy	[6]
7		Kianga, JeremiahGeneral Jeremiah Mutinda Kianga	1 September 2005	12 July 2011	5 years, 314 days	Kenya Army	[6]

Chief of the Defence Forces

No.	Portrait	Chief of the Defence Forces	Took office	Left office	Time in office	Defence branch	Ref.
1		Karangi, JuliusGeneral Julius Waweru Karangi (born 1951)	13 July 2011	4 May 2015	3 years, 295 days	Kenya Air Force	[6]
2		Mwathethe, SamsonGeneral Samson Jefwa Mwathethe (born 1958)	5 May 2015	10 May 2020	5 years, 5 days	Kenya Navy	[6][9]
3		Kibochi, RobertGeneral Robert Kariuki Kibochi (born 1959)	11 May 2020	28 April 2023	2 years, 352 days	Kenya Army	[10]
4		Ogolla, FrancisGeneral Francis Omondi Ogolla (1962–2024)	28 April 2023	18 April 2024	356 days	Kenya Air Force	[11]
5		Kahariri, CharlesGeneral Charles Muriu Kahariri (born 1966)	18 April 2024	incumbent	1 year, 2 days	Kenya Navy	[12]