Lt Gen John Mugaravai Omenda, CBS, SS, OGW, ‘rcds’ (UK), ‘psc’ (K) Vice Chief of the Defence Forces

Lt. Gen. John Mugaravai Omenda was promoted to Lieutenant General and appointed Vice Chief of Defence Forces on May 2, 2024. Prior to this, he was the Commander of the Kenya Air Force as from July 23, 2021. He enlisted into the Kenya Defence Forces on May 23, 1991, and was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the Kenya Air Force on August 14, 1992. He underwent training as a fighter pilot and received additional training in flight safety and national security.

Over the course of his career, Lt. Gen. Omenda has held various important positions, including Base Commander at Laikipia Air Base after being promoted to Brigadier on July 13, 2018. Subsequently, he served as the Deputy Air Force Commander from April 30, 2020. He has fulfilled roles such as Deputy Base Commander at Laikipia Air Base, Officer Commanding No. 15 Squadron, Flight Commander Operations for No. 15 Squadron, Pilot with No. 15 Squadron, and Pilot No. 11 Squadron.

He has been involved in military operations such as Operation Linda Nchi, the African Union Mission in Somalia, and the United Nations Mission in Liberia. For his Loyalty, Service and dedication to the Country, he has been honoured severally, the most outstanding award being the Silver Star and the most recent being the Moran of the Golden Heart.

He is a graduate of the Joint Command and Staff College (Kenya) and the Royal College of Defence Studies in the United Kingdom. He also holds a Diploma in Strategic Studies from the University of Nairobi, a Bachelor of Arts in Peace and Conflict Studies from Nazarene University, and a Master of Arts in International Security and Strategy from King’s College, London.

Lt. Gen. John M. Omenda is married to Hellen and is a proud father of four children. During his free time, he enjoys reading and playing golf.