All you need to know about Kenya's military ranks

If you have ever crossed paths with a soldier, chances are that you might have heard them mention certain military ranks that you are not too familiar with.

In Kenya, be it in the Army, Air Force or Navy, military ranks are categorised into two tiers; non-commissioned officers and commissioned officers.

Non-commissioned officers are the lowest-ranked military personnel. They earn their positions by promotion through enlisted ranks and not through presidential decrees.

Commissioned officers, on the other hand, are the highest-ranked officers in the military. Their appointments and promotions are strictly commissioned and confirmed by the President.

The list is as follows:

This is the highest possible rank that a soldier can attain in the armed forces. Only one officer can hold the position at any given time. The General serves as the Chief of the Defence Forces (CDF). Promotions in this category are determined by age, experience, merit and academic qualifications in line with the Tonje Law.

Named after retired military chief Daudi Tonje, the Tonje law also stipulates that promotion in this category be made in rotation between the Army, Air Force and Navy. This is why the late Francis Ogolla (Air Force) took over from General Robert Kariuki Kibochi (Army). As such, the next KDF General and CDF will be drawn from the Navy. 

In the military hierarchy, these officers are only answerable to the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces and the CDF. They often serve as Vice Chiefs of the Defence Forces or are tasked with leading the National Defence College. Regularly referred to as three-star generals, these officers command an entire division of soldiers.

Also known as two-star generals, Major Generals directly supervise military planning and coordination of missions. They are typically in charge of division sized units of anywhere between 10,000 and 15,000 soldiers approximately.

Brigadiers command a brigade of several thousand soldiers. In the past, the rank was known as the brigadier-general, the lowest general officer rank.

These officers are typically tasked with overseeing the army's administrative needs. To attain this rank, officers must have undergone training at the Defense Staff College.

Also known as commanding officers, lieutenant colonels lead units of approximately 650 soldiers. They hold the positions for at least two years and ensure that all units operate efficiently and in a disciplined manner.

In charge of a sub-unit of up to 120 officers, Majors are responsible for managing armed forces equipment, soldier trainings and operations. To qualify for the rank a soldier must have served for at least eight years.

These officers are usually in charge of a company (units of between 50 to 150 soldiers). They can also act as the second-in-command of a company.

Lieutenants lead a platoon or troop of soldiers (usually between 25-30 military men).

This is the lowest-ranked commissioned officer in the Kenya Defence Forces. They command a platoon but have limited responsibilities when compared to lieutenants. 

Gen (Rtd) Daudi Tonje, one of the celebrated KDF officers, carried out a revolution in the military.

During his tenure, there was the highest number of reforms that included the disbandment of the Women Service Corps, leading to the inclusion of women in the mainstream military ranks, establishment of the Defence Staff College and the Defence Forces Medical Insurance Scheme.

General Tonje also introduced term limits for military officers.

According to the Ministry of Defence website, it is Tonje who ended the pay parades in which soldiers had to line up when receiving salaries. Instead, he introduced the payment of salaries through bank accounts.

In 1962, he was enlisted to the army and trained as a cadet at Hifford Barracks, Lanet, then as the first direct-entry African cadet.

After his training, he was posted to the 11th KAR battalion, which was disbanded in 1964 after some soldiers staged a mutiny over poor pay for African soldiers.

The retired General is now a goat farmer at his countryside home in Baringo County.