DEFENCE CABINET SECRETARY VISITS KENYA ARMY HEADQUARTERS

The Cabinet Secretary for Defence Hon. Eugene Wamalwa last week, made an official visit to the Kenya Army Headquarters in Nairobi.

The visit was a familiarization and orientation tour to understand the role and mandate of the Kenya Army in defending the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Republic.

The CS was received by the Commander Kenya Army Lieutenant General Walter Koipaton and the General Officers Commanding Eastern and Western Command, Major General Ayub Matiiri and Major General Joseph Kivunzi respectively.

The CS was briefed on the various roles and responsibilities the Service is currently undertaking in the country and outside the Kenyan borders as they execute their constitutional mandate as well as the future plans aimed at enhancing operation readiness.

“I wish to underscore from the onset the indispensable value of the Army to any society. Being a land-based force, the Army is the critical axis upon which the defence of the nation and protection of vital national interests revolve. Your mission is enduring; to bring the necessary forces and capabilities in support of national security and defence strategies. Any nation stands on the strength of it’s army,” said the CS.

Hon. Wamalwa noted that the Army has been the motherboard on which the military has grown and acquired diverse defence capabilities since independence and underscored the critical role they played in restoring peace and stability during the Operation Fagia Msitu at the Boni Enclave and in Somalia under AMISOM.

He observed that the contribution of the Kenya Army is spread beyond their core mandate into supporting the civil authority and offering infrastructural assistance through the Engineers Corps.

He commended the soldiers for their patriotism and acknowledged the fallen heroes who paid the ultimate price in defending their motherland saying their sacrifices shall forever be remembered.

“I pay special tributes to our gallant sons and daughters who have paid the ultimate price in the course of defending and protecting our motherland in various operations. Our country and people owe these departed souls a huge debt of gratitude for their service,” he added.

The Commander Kenya Army thanked the CS and the Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) General Robert Kibochi for their immense support that has led to the success of Kenya Army’s work.

“We at the Kenya Army Headquarters have a noble duty to support the troops who are outside conducting various key duties. The staff personnel at this headquarters are the ones driving the wheel everyday to make success for the Kenya Army and the Kenya Defence Forces at large. They do the logistics planning, training, operations and welfare among other critical duties,” said Lt Gen Koipaton.

Present during the occasion were General Officers, Senior Officers, Officers, Service Members and civilian staff members.