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New CDF Charles Kahariri's journey to four-star General

Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua (left), President William Ruto and the new Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) General Charles Muriu Kahariri during the burial of Chief of Defence Forces General Francis Ogolla in Siaya County on April 21, 2024. (Photo: PCS)

By Mary Wambui | 02 May 2024

He was a rather unfamiliar face until March 8 this year when President William Ruto promoted him to Lieutenant General and appointed him the Vice Chief of Defence Forces.

To many Kenyans, General Charles Kahariri Muriu, the new Chief of Defence Forces was an unfamiliar face until March 8 this year when President William Ruto promoted him to Lieutenant General and appointed him the Vice Chief of Defence Forces.

He had replaced Lt General Jonah Mwangi whose term had come to an end after 42 years of service.

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His popularity further grew in the weeks that followed as he assumed the role of acting CDF, immediately after the death of General Francis Ogolla, twice reassuring the country that the military was intact despite the shocking loss of its leader.

"I want to assure the president that as the general would have wanted, we continue to soldier on and ensure the security of this country so nothing has changed as far as our duties are concerned. Fare thee well, our general, may his soul rest in peace," then-Lt Gen Kahariri said during General Ogolla's burial.

The events that followed between his appointment as VCDF on March 8 and the death of his former boss General Francis Ogolla on April 18 cast and sustained a spotlight on him as he ranked amongst the most eligible generals to succeed the late General.

This is despite him not having served as Navy Commander before. General Kahariri however came close to being the commander of the Kenya Navy when he was appointed as Deputy Commander.

President William Ruto with the newly-appointed General Charles Kahariri alongside the late Francis Ogolla at State House on March 9, 2024. (Photo: PCS)

Past Generals have served as commanders of either of the three services.

Tonje Rules

Though his appointment to the helm of military leadership was guided by the recommendations of the Defence Council, it follows the popular Tonje rules that advise that the seat holder be a rotation of officers from the three services (navy, army and air force) in that order.

Having had General Ogolla from the Airforce and his predecessor General (Rtd) Kibochi from the army, the navy was poised to take over with their senior most officer being General Kahariri.

He is expected to be sworn into office later today during a ceremony on the investiture of ranks and swearing-in of the newly promoted and appointed officers of the Kenya Defence Forces.

General Kahariri will be deputised by the immediate former Air Force Commander Major General John Mugaravai Omenda who has now been promoted to Lt General and appointed Vice Chief of Defence Forces.

President William Ruto escorted to the airport by the newly-appointed General Charles Kahariri in the company of First Lady Rachel Ruto and Prime CS Musalia Mudavadi at JKIA, Nairobi on April 25, 2024. (PCS)

A brief history of Maj Gen Omenda, a fighter pilot with training in the fields of Intelligence, Security and flight safety shows that he was promoted to the rank of Major General and appointed Kenya Air Force Commander on July 23, 2021.

He previously served as Base Commander, Laikipia Air Base before his appointment as Deputy Air Force Commander on April 30, 2020.

He Joined Kenya Air Force on 23 May 1991 and was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant on 14 August 1992.

He also served in the United Nations Mission in Liberia from 2006 to 2007.

The newly-appointed General Charles Kahariri. (Photo: MoD)

Two of the three services of the military have also been affected by the changes with the Air Force making history after getting its first-ever female commander and the Navy also making history by having the shortest-serving Kenya Navy Commander, Major General Ng'ang'a who has since been posted to the National Defence University as Deputy Vice-Chancellor in charge of Administration and Finance.

Major Gen Ng'ang'a was appointed commander Kenya Navy on March 8 this year.

He was succeeded by Major Gen Paul Owuor Otieno, who was appointed Kenya Navy Commander on Thursday.

The Commander Kenya Army remains Lt Gen David Kimaiyo Tarus.