Lt General Kahariri to act as Chief of Defence Forces following Ogolla's death

KDF Vice Chief of Defence Forces Lt. General Charles Kahariri will take over as the acting Chief of Defence Forces until the military finds General Francis Ogolla’s successor. 

Ogolla (61) died on Thursday, April 18, 2024, at 2:20 pm in a plane crash in the Sindar area of Elgeyo Marakwet. 

He became the first CDF to die in office and more so in a plane crash. Ogolla is also the shortest-serving CDF, and his death has forced the KDF to immediately seek his replacement as the constitution does not recognise a vacuum in the military. 

Lt General Kahariri, who served as Ogolla’s deputy since March 8 this year, will guide the military until Ruto appoints a new CDF. 

Speaking to the media at his home in Kitale, retired Gen Daudi Tonje confirmed that the vice CDF assumes the roles of the CDF until Ruto appoints a substantive holder. 

Tonje, a former Chief of General Staff, is famous for drafting the Tonje Rules, which guide the military in the appointment of its CDF. 

Tonje Rules 

Tonje Rules dictate that the CDF role rotates among the Kenya Army, Navy, and Air Force.

A CDF, his deputy, and key service commanders serve a single term of four years or retire upon attaining the mandatory retirement ages of 62 (CDF), 61 (a Lieutenant-General), 59 Major-General, and 57 (Brigadier).

However, the ages may be amended through legislation guided and drafted by the National Defence Council, which advises the President on appointments.

The President may also extend the term of the CDF based on different parameters, including military and political uncertainties, as advised by the council. 

Gen Francis Ogolla takes oath as Kenya's Chief of Defence Forces at State House Nairobi in April 2023. (Photo: PCS)

Kenya’s 4th President Uhuru Kenyatta extended the term of former CDF General Samson Mwathethe for one year, with reports stating that the Defence Council was divided between recommending his extension and succession by Gen Robert Kibochi (then Lt Gen and Vice Chief of Defence Forces) and other top military leaders. 

Mwathethe retired in May 2020, with Kibochi taking over before he left the role for Ogolla in April 2023.  

In line with Tonje Rules, Mwathethe was from the Navy, Kibochi (Army), and Ogolla (Air Force).

Who succeeds Ogolla? 

With Ogolla’s term set to end in 2025 after attaining the retirement age of 62, he was set to be succeeded by the Kenya Navy. 

Major General Thomas Njoroge Ng'ang'a is the Commander of the Kenya Navy, a role he assumed on March 8, 2024, in the changes made by President Ruto.

Major General David Kimaiyo Tarus was also appointed as Lieutenant General and Commander of the Kenya Army. 

However, with the death of Ogolla being unprecedented, the Defence Council, which comprises the Defence CS, his PS, the Chief of Defence Forces and three Commanders of the Defence Forces, may advise Ruto to choose a successor from the Kenya Air Force to complete Ogolla’s term. 

At the helm of the Kenya Air Force is Major General John Mugaravai Omenda, who was appointed to the role in 2021.

In summary

With Ogolla’s death, the military heads comprise;

• Vice CDF -  Lt General Charles Muriu Kahariri
• Kenya Navy - Major General Thomas Njoroge Ng'ang'a
• Kenya Army - Major General David Kimaiyo Tarus
• Kenya Air Force  - Major General John Mugaravai Omenda

Until Ruto settles on either Kenya Air Force’s Major General Omenda or his Navy counterpart, Major General Ng'ang'a, VCDF Lt General Charles Muriu Kahariri will hold as acting CDF.

Defence CS Aden Duale, the late Chief of Defence Forces General Francis Ogolla and other top military officials during a meeting in March 2024. (Photo: KDF)