Gov’t will defend military by all means possible – President Ruto

President William Ruto has called for collective responsibility and action in the security and stability of the country.

The President said no amount of force, however formidable, can secure a nation on its own.

“True security is a shared duty, and every citizen is a stakeholder,” he said.

He made the remarks during the Cadet Commissioning Parade at the Kenya Military Academy in Lanet, Nakuru County, on Wednesday.

President Ruto appealed to Kenyans, leaders, politicians, and the media to exercise sensitivity and refrain from discussing military matters casually.

The President was firm that the government would defend the military "by all means possible" from being maligned, saying they are the guarantors of Kenya's stability and development.

He noted that the government is modernising the Kenya Defence Forces and aligning their training to effectively respond to a rapidly evolving security landscape, shaped by unconventional threats, digital warfare, and transnational challenges.

“In response, we must modernise our forces, tailor our training, and innovate and update our doctrine,” he said.

The President pointed out that the military is re-focusing training methods, adopting cutting-edge technologies, and nurturing dynamic leaders capable of meeting complex security demands of the day.

He explained that the goal is to keep the military ahead of the curve and, therefore, safeguard national stability.

“Through these efforts, KDF remains a bulwark of peace and stability not only in Kenya, but also in the region and across Africa,” he added.

The graduating cadet cohort includes the first graduates with a Bachelor’s in Defence and Security Studies degree from the National Defence University-Kenya.

“This is a major milestone in our continued journey to align military training with modern academic rigour and strategic development goals,” he said.

These efforts to advance the military, he said, have ensured the country remains stable, creating a conducive environment that attracts investment and strengthens domestic and international confidence in the country.

“National prosperity rests upon the firm foundation of peace, good governance, and inclusive development. Our defence forces play a vital role in this,” he said.

President Ruto further noted that the officer cadet commissioned on Wednesday included officers from Burkina Faso, Mozambique, Rwanda, Sierra Leone, Tanzania, and Uganda.

“This is not just a testament to the excellence of the Kenya Military Academy, but also a symbol of our shared destiny and growing regional solidarity,” he said.

Earlier, the President commissioned Lanet Regional Hospital, a 150-bed facility providing a range of specialised services, including intensive care, renal dialysis, and cutting-edge surgery.

Healthcare staff at the hospital will include military and civilian personnel.

President Ruto also launched the Ulinzi Prime Health Services Fund, which will enable the civilian population to access the quality and specialised medical care at KDF medical facilities.

The fund is a National Government financial entity in the Ministry of Defence. It was approved by Cabinet on 3 October, 2023, and by the National Assembly on 6 December, 2023, under the Public Finance Management Act, 2012, to manage financial activities of the fund.

“These facilities will allow members of the defence community to access military referral hospitals through insurance schemes, including the Social Health Insurance Fund and the Emergency, Chronic and Critical Illness Fund under the Social Health Authority,” he said.