Lt Gen Charles Muriu Kahariri was on Thursday, May 2, 2024, sworn in as the new Chief of Defence Forces (CDF), replacing his boss, Gen Francis Ogolla, who died in a chopper crash last month.

President William Ruto presided over the swearing-in ceremony of the CDF and the top command of Kenya Defence Forces at State House, Nairobi.

Prior to his promotion, Kahariri was the Vice Chief of Defence Forces, deputizing the late Gen Ogolla.

A look at his career profile reveals that he has rich history in the military having climbed the ranks from  a private officer in the Navy to Vice Chief of Defence Forces and now the top leadership of the military.

He joined the Kenya Defence Forces, the Navy, on April 3, 1987 where he was commissioned as an officer, attaining the rank of Second Lieutenant on April 15, 1988.

Shortly after his commissioning, ambitious Kahariri went on to pursue further training in the United Kingdom, laying the foundation for his illustrious leadership characterized by operational excellence.

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Among the positions he has held throughout his career include Commanding Officer roles aboard Kenya Navy Ships Mamba, Madaraka, and Umoja, as well as at the Kenya Navy Manda Base.

He also served as the Maritime Component Commander for ‘Operation Linda Nchi’ and as Task Force Commander for ‘Operation Sledge Hammer’ during the strategic capture of Kismaiyu.

The new general has also been a key figure in international maritime security, serving as the National Focal Person for the Contact Group on Piracy off the Coast of Somalia and the Djibouti Code of Conduct.

He holds a Diploma in Strategic and Security Studies from the United States Naval War College.

Kahariri’s illustrious education portfolio further includes numerous prestigious courses pursued both locally and internationally, including the International Midshipman Course in the UK, Long Navigation Course in India and Naval Command Course in the USA.

The father of three has been serving as acting CDF since April 18 when Gen Ogolla died. He will serve as CDF for about two more years.

According to the Kenya Defence Forces Act, a CDF, his deputy, and service commanders shall serve a single term of four years or retire upon attaining the mandatory retirement age.

A General is supposed to retire at 62, a Lieutenant-General at 61, a Major-General at 59 and a Brigadier at 57 years.