Commander, Kenya Army

Last updated
Commander,
Kenya Army
Flag of the Kenyan Army.svg
Flag of Kenya Army
Commander of the Kenya Army David Kipkemboi Ketter.jpg
Incumbent
David Kipkemboi Ketter
since 27 June 2025
Flag of the Kenyan Army.svg  Kenya Army
Reports to Chief of Defence Forces
AppointerThe president
Formation12 December 1963
First holder Ian Freeland
DeputyDeputy Army Commander

The commander, Kenya Army is the chief and highest-ranking officer of the Kenya Army The current commander is Lieutenant General David Kimaiyo Tarus.

List of officeholders

No.PortraitName
(born–died)		Term of officeRef.
Took officeLeft officeTime in office
1Major General
Ian Freeland
(1912–1979)		12 December 196330 April 1964140 days [1] [2]
2Brigadier
A. J. Hardy		1 May 196430 November 19662 years, 213 days [3] [2]
3Brigadier
Joseph Musyimi Lele Ndolo 		1 December 196631 May 19692 years, 181 days [4] [2]
4Major General
Jackson Kimeu Mulinge
(1924–2014)		1 June 196922 November 19789 years, 144 days [5] [6]
[2]
5Major General
Joseph Kathuka Nzioka		1 December 197812 December 19791 year, 11 days [2]
6Major General
John Malan Sawe		13 December 19792 January 19811 year, 20 days [2] [7]
7Major General
Mohamud Haji Barrow Mohammed		3 January 198114 December 1981345 days [2] [7]
8Lieutenant General
John Malan Sawe		15 December 198127 February 19864 years, 74 days [2]
9Lieutenant General
James Lelasian Lengees		28 February 198630 November 19937 years, 275 days [2] [8]
10Lieutenant General
Daudi Rerimoi Chepkonga Tonje		1 December 199322 June 1994203 days [2] [9]
11Lieutenant General
Augustine K. Cheruiyot		28 June 19947 June 19983 years, 344 days [2]
12Lieutenant General
Adan Abdullahi		9 June 199830 November 20002 years, 174 days [2]
13Lieutenant General
Lazarus Kipkurui Sumbeiywo		1 December 200028 February 20032 years, 89 days [2]
14Lieutenant General
Jeremiah Mutinda Kianga EGH , CBS , ndc (K) , cgsc (USA)		1 March 200310 August 20052 years, 162 days [2]
15Lieutenant General
Augostino Stephen Karanu Njoroge MGH , CBS , ndc (K) , psc 		10 August 20055 December 20083 years, 117 days [2]
16Lieutenant General
Jackson Kiprono Tuwei		5 December 200830 November 20101 year, 360 days [2] [10]
17 Lt. Gen. Njuki Mwaniki, Commander, Kenyan Army, visits USARAF HQ, February 2011 (5488502417).jpg Lieutenant General
Njuki Mwaniki MGH , CBS , OGW , ndc (K) , psc 		30 November 201013 July 2011225 days [10] [11]
18Lieutenant General
Joseph Kiptoo Kasaon MGH , CBS , DCO , ndc (K) , psc , cgsc (USA)
(born 1958)		13 July 201117 April 20153 years, 278 days [2] [11]
19Lieutenant General
Leonard Muriuki Ngondi MGH , CBS , OGW , ndc (K) , psc
(born 1959)		17 April 201522 September 20161 year, 158 days [2]
20 Robert Kariuki Kibochi (51869767008) (cropped).jpg Lieutenant General
Robert Kariuki Kibochi EGH , CBS , ndc (K) , psc
(born 1959)		22 September 201613 July 20181 year, 294 days [2] [12]
21 General Walter Koipaton Raria during African Land Forces Summit 2019.jpg Lieutenant General
Walter Koipaton Raria MGH , CBS , OGW , ndc (K) , psc 		13 July 201820 July 20224 years, 7 days [13]
22 Commander of the Kenya Army Peter Mbogo Njiru.jpg Lieutenant General
Peter Mbogo Njiru MGH, CBS rcds (UK) psc (K)		20 July 20228 March 20241 year, 232 days [14]
23 Commander of the Kenya Army David Kimaiyo Chemwaina Tarus.jpg Lieutenant General
David Kimaiyo Chemwaina TarusCBS ndc (K) cgsc (USA) psc (K)		9 March 2024Incumbent1 year, 180 days [15]

References

  1. ↑ Freeland received his knighthood in 1968. "No. 43173". The London Gazette (Supplement). 29 November 1963. p. 9901. "No. 43598". The London Gazette (Supplement). 12 March 1965. p. 2619.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 Army.
  3. ↑ Poppy Cullen (2017). "Operation Binnacle: British plans for military intervention against a 1965 coup in Kenya". The International History Review. 39 (5).
  4. ↑ Hornsby, Charles (2012). Kenya: A History Since Independence. London/New York: I. B. Tauris. p. 180. ISBN   978-1-84885-886-2.
  5. ↑ Opande 2019, p. 67.
  6. ↑ Kenya Yearbook 2010
  7. 1 2 Daniel Opande (2019). In Pursuit of Peace in Africa. East African Educational Publishers. p. 77. ISBN   978-9966564313.
  8. ↑ Also serving as Commander 4th Brigade (Kenya) during the 1982 Kenyan coup d'état attempt. "Why former Army boss is on the horns of dilemma - Daily Nation". www.nation.co.ke. Archived from the original on 2017-12-19.
  9. ↑ Kenya Yearbook 2010, pp432.
  10. 1 2 Ombati 2010.
  11. 1 2 Momanyi 2011.
  12. ↑ PSCU 2016.
  13. ↑ Munda 2018.
  14. ↑ Okubasu, Derrick (20 July 2022). "Uhuru Picks His Former ADC Peter Mbogo Njiru to Head Kenya Army". kenyans.co.ke. Retrieved 21 July 2022.
  15. ↑ Swearing-in of the Kenya Defence Forces Vice Chief and Service Commanders, State House, Nairobi. , retrieved 2024-03-09
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