5-star general: Ruto makes first public appearance in full military attire at KDF day in Eldoret

Photos of President William Ruto donning a full Kenya Army combat uniform have lit up social media, marking his first public appearance in military attire since assuming office in September 2022.

The images, released by State House, show the Head of State walking out of his office en route to Moi Barracks in Eldoret for the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) Day celebrations, an annual event held to honor Kenya’s servicemen and women.

The sight of President Ruto in military gear sparked excitement and debate online, as many Kenyans noted that this is the first time he has appeared in the official KDF uniform as Commander-in-Chief of the Kenya Defence Forces.

While the uniform bore all the insignia befitting his position, some netizens opined that Kenya does not have a five-star general rank. The country’s highest military rank is four-star General, currently held by General Charles Muriu Kahariri, the Chief of Defence Forces (CDF).

According to the Kenya Defence Forces Act No. 25 of 2012, the President, under Article 131(1)(c) of the Constitution, serves as the Commander-in-Chief and is tasked with:

1. Appointing the Chief of Defence Forces, the Vice Chief, and the Service Commanders.
2. Overseeing the organization and command of the Defence Forces.

General Kahariri, from the Kenya Navy, serves as the nation’s highest-ranking military officer and the principal military advisor to the President and the National Security Council. His deputy, Lieutenant General John M. Omenda, is the Vice Chief of Defence Forces and the second-highest-ranking officer in the country’s military hierarchy.

President Ruto now joins his predecessors; the late Daniel arap Moi and Uhuru Kenyatta who also wore military attire during their respective tenures. Moi was known for donning ceremonial uniforms during national parades, while Kenyatta often wore KDF fatigues during military commemorations and security briefings.

This year’s KDF Day event in Eldoret celebrated the discipline, valor, and dedication of Kenya’s men and women in uniform. The President’s appearance in combat gear served as a powerful reminder of his constitutional role as the Commander-in-Chief, symbolizing unity and respect for the armed forces.