Vice Chief of Defence Forces (VCDF) Lt Gen Charles Muriu Kahariri has been promoted to the rank of general and appointed as the Chief Defence Forces, succeeding the late Gen Francis Ogolla who tragically passed away in a helicopter crash.
With this promotion, Kahariri now holds the prestigious rank of four-star general, the highest rank attainable within Kenya’s defence forces. It’s worth noting that the five-star general rank is exclusively reserved for the President of the Republic of Kenya.
Additionally, Kenya Airforce commander Maj Gen John Omenda has been elevated and appointed as the new VCDF.
These promotions and appointments were made by President William Ruto, who serves as the Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces. The decisions were reached during a meeting of the Defense Council chaired by Defence Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale.
Kahariri’s promotion marks a significant achievement in his military career, particularly considering that he didn’t follow the conventional path of serving as a service commander, which has been a customary requirement for such high-ranking positions. Although he previously served as the deputy commander of the Kenya Navy, his elevation to the position of general underscores his exceptional leadership and dedication to the profession of arms.
Attaining the rank of general is regarded as the pinnacle of success in the military, representing the apex of the hierarchical structure. It’s a distinction achieved by only a select few, with global statistics indicating that generally, only around one per cent of a cadet class ascend to the rank of general.
