PRESIDENT UHURU COMMISSIONS FIRST BATCH OF GRADUATE GENERAL SERVICE OFFICERS

H.E. Hon. Uhuru Kenyatta, President of the Republic of Kenya and Commander-in-Chief (C-in-C) of the Defence Forces on Thursday, 31 March 2022 Commissioned the first cohort of Graduate General Service Officer Cadets at Kenya Military Academy in Lanet, Nakuru County.

In his speech, President Uhuru Kenyatta congratulated the newly-commissioned officers for their successful completion of a rigorous training program that involved academics as well as character development and prepared them for Leadership and Command responsibilities in their military career.

“We are here today to recognize and celebrate your commitment and dedication as well as the completion of your one-year training. The comprehensive training has equipped you to become leaders and has prepared you for future security threats. This being a life time of a service that calls for duty, honour and courage, I want to congratulate KDF, on behalf of all Kenyans, for always being committed and steadfast in your duties,” said the Commander-in-Chief.

“Today, I welcome the training of cadets from South Sudan as well as the commencement of an exchange programme of cadet training between the Kenya Defence Forces and the Defence Forces of the Republic of Mozambique amongst many other existing cooperation arrangements,” he added.

The President said that this was the true spirit of Pan Africanism where KDF training experiences enhanced interoperability in multi-national engagements, “the partnerships will foster peaceful relations within our region and beyond,” said President Uhuru.

He appreciated the leadership of the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) for the commitment to ensure that the training provided to Kenyan troops adequately prepared them to operate effectively in both the contemporary and future security environments.

“I am pleased to note that the National Defence University-Kenya, a fully chartered university, is now fully up and running; and it is prepared to commence academic and professional development of personnel across our entire security sector,” noted the President.

The Commander-in-Chief said public investments in the security sector have secured the modernization not only of the training of Kenya’s security forces, but also ensured that the training is abreast with the challenges of an ever-evolving security environment.

During the colourful ceremony, the Commander-in-Chief awarded Officer Cadets who excelled in various fields during the course of their one-year training.

The Best Officer Cadet in Leadership and Command and Winner of Sword of Honour was Officer Cadet Mary Nduati while the Cadet Adjutant, Officer Cadet Newton Kiptanui was awarded the second best in the same field as well as the winner of Commandant’s Award.

Officer Cadet Joseph Mulinge was awarded the Best Cadet in Professional Studies Training and Winner of Professional Studies award.

The Best Officer Cadet in Character Development and winner of Character award was Officer Cadet Duncan Kapkama, whereas the Best Allied Officer Cadet in Order of Merit was Officer Cadet Onem Gem Moses of South Sudan People’s Defence Force.

The Commandant Kenya Military Academy Major General Fatuma Ahmed congratulated the newly Commissioned Officers stating that the training had fully prepared and transformed them for leadership.

“The training has prepared you professionally, physically, intellectually and character-wise to enable you execute your duties during missions,” she said.

Present during the Commissioning Parade were the CS Defence Hon. Eugene Wamalwa, Chief of the Defence Forces General Robert Kibochi, Service Commanders, General Officers, retired General Officers, Senior Officers, Officers, Service members and family members. Additionally, Senior National and County Government officials among others attended the ceremony.