MAJOR GENERAL PAUL OWUOR OTIENO EBS, ‘ndc’ ‘psc’ (K) : COMMANDER KENYA NAVY

Major General Paul Otieno Owuor was born on May 5, 1965, in Ango’ga village, Seme, Kisumu County. He is a distinguished General Officer in the Kenya Navy and currently serves as the 14th Commander of the Kenya Navy. His career, spanning over three decades, is marked by a series of significant contributions to military operations, peacekeeping missions, and strategic development in Kenya.

He enlisted in the Kenya Armed Forces in April 1987, embarking on a journey that would shape his future in military service. He began his Officer Cadet Training at the Armed Forces Training College, now the Kenya Military Academy, and was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in April 1988. Following his commissioning, he attended the prestigious Britannia Royal Naval College (BRNC) in Dartmouth, UK, where he completed the Midshipman Course and graduated as a Naval Officer.

Major General Otieno further pursued higher technical qualifications in various fields. He earned a Certificate in Telecommunications Engineering from the Defence Forces Technical College (formerly Kenya Armed Forces Technical College) in 1992. He continued his studies at Technical University of Kenya (formerly Kenya Polytechnic), earning a Diploma and Higher National Diploma in Electrical and Electronic Engineering in 1994 and 1997, respectively. In 2006, he obtained a Diploma in Strategic Studies from the University of Nairobi. He holds a Master’s Degree in Physics (Electronics) from Kenyatta University and International Studies from the University of Nairobi.

Major General Otieno also undertook the requisite military training which include Regimental Staff Officer Course (1998), Senior Command and Staff course (2006), Strategic Military Intelligence Course (2013) and the Security and Strategic Studies at the National Defence College (2016).   His other professional training certifications include Advance Research Design and Engendering Social Science Research – Partnership for African Social & Governance Research (PASGR) and Institute of Development Studies (IDS), Governance Diplomacy for Peace and Security and Regional Senior Mission Leaders’ Training – International Peace Support Training Centre (IPSTC).

Over a distinguished 37-year career, Major General Otieno has held several Command, Staff, and Peace Operations related appointments locally and abroad. His notable positions include:

• Commanding Officer of the Kenya Navy Fleet Maintenance Unit
• Staff Officer for Information Communication Technology at the Ministry of Defence Headquarters
• Military Observer at the United Nations Mission in Western Sahara (MINURSO)
• Commanding Officer of the Information Technology Centre and Technical Support Wing at the Kenya Armed Forces Technical College
• Military Planning Officer in the Department of Peacekeeping Operations at the UN Headquarters in New York
• Head of Peace and Security Research Department at the IPSTC.
• Colonel Operational Research Maritime Programs Kenya Ministry of Defence Headquarters.
• Chief of Systems at the Kenya Ministry of Defence Headquarters.

Throughout his career, Major General Otieno has been a catalyst of transformational change, achieving significant milestones including innovations in the Standby Arrangement System at the UN Headquarters – New York, Gender Policy Reform at International Peace Support Training Centre, Nairobi, and execution of the Export Credit Financing Arrangement enabling significant modernization and acquisition of military systems.

In September 2020, Major General Otieno was appointed the founding Managing Director of Kenya Shipyards Limited (KSL), a state-owned agency under the Ministry of Defence, an agency which he had built from scratch. His leadership has been crucial in establishing KSL as a shipbuilding Centre of Excellence in the Eastern Africa. This is evidenced by the construction of the Mombasa and Kisumu shipyards, which resulted in the design, construction, and commissioning of the 100-metre wagon ferry MV Uhuru II and refit of a warship in a record time of under three years. He successfully forged partnerships with various government ministries, departments, agencies, National Security Agencies, and international shipbuilding and engineering powerhouses such as Damen Shipyards Gorinchem – Netherlands and SMH Rail – Malaysia, revitalizing an economic ecosystem dormant for over half a century.

On May 3, 2024, Major General Otieno was appointed Kenya Navy Commander, becoming the second technical naval officer to hold this strategic position. Leading a team of dedicated naval professionals, he is committed to defending and protecting Kenya against sea-borne threats. His vision for the Navy focuses on creating an adaptive, and mission-ready force capable of deterring potential threats, maintaining a secure maritime operating environment, and supporting the national development agenda.

Major General Otieno’s work ethic is guided by his pursuit of excellence, robust and timely decision making, innovative problem solving, and a focus on results.   His leadership is characterized by empathy, a vibrant energy that fosters dynamism and a commitment to making a lasting impact.

As a lifelong learner, Major General Otieno actively engages in learning, with an interest in science and technology.  Outside of his professional responsibilities, Maj Gen Otieno is a fitness enthusiast. He  also enjoys watching  nature documentaries or going on game drives, and  also likes unwinding with lighthearted TV shows.  He finds joy and balance in family life and cherishes spending time with his wife Linet Gatakaa, and their four Children-Tevin, Neema, Sifa, and Uzima.

Major General Otieno has been honoured with various awards and decorations, including the Elder of the Order of the Burning Spear (EBS), recognizing his outstanding service and contributions to the Kenya Navy and the nation.