GENERAL CHARLES MURIU KAHARIRI

Lieutenant-General Charles Muriu Kahariri was on Thursday 2 May 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 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 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, 1989 where he was commissioned as an officer, attaining the rank of Second Lieutenant characterized by operational excellence.

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, 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 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 Ogalla died.  He will serve as CDF for about two more years.