NAIROBI, Kenya, Aug, 8 – The Department of Defence Headquarters in Nairobi played host to the Change of Guard ceremony where Lieutenant General Peter Mbogo Njiru took over as service commander of the Kenya Army from Lieutenant General Walter Raria Koipaton who served his four-year tenure.
During the ceremony, Njiru promised to live up to the rich legacy left behind by his predecessor in establishing the Kenya Army as a center of excellence within the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF).
Njiru described Koipaton as the embodiment of commitment, resilience and dedication to country in his decades of service.
“You have lived true to the true vision, mission of the Kenya Army by always endeavouring and ensuring that the arrowhead is sharpened. You remain an embodiment of success especially in operations you initiated and oversaw during your tenure,” said Njiru further stating, “I wish to continue with the same trajectory that the Kenya Army led by the outgoing commander… that is the trajectory i will follow,”
Koipaton meanwhile wished his successor the very best saying that he would always be ready and willing to provide him with counsel if need be.
“I want to appreciate also the confidence that the defence council had in the promotion and appointment of Lt. General Peer Njiru, an officer who had a promising career since he was a young officer and has held a raft commander, staff and trading position and therefore his biography speaks volumes,” he said.
“I handover to my friend, Lt. General Njiru at a time when the Army is deployed in six theatres, the army is deployed in closed operations, hotspots, internal security, Boni forest, Somalia and the Democratic Republic of Congo. But I want to encourage the incoming army commander that the support you have from the men and women of the army, both officers and service members is one you can count on. And mine is to urge all in the army to provide the best support possible to the incoming commander,” said Koipaton.
Late last month president Uhuru Kenyatta oversaw the swearing-in of Lt. General Njiru as the Kenya Army commander at State House Nairobi.
Kenya Army Commander, Lt. General Peter Mbogo Njiru Profile
Mbogo’s career as a military man began when he was enlisted into the Kenya Defence Forces as an Officer Cadet on 24th June 1985.
Shortly after, he was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant on 26th June 1986. Upon commissioning, he was posted to 77 Arty as a Troop Commander and it is later where he became a commanding officer in the same Unit.
Lt. Gen. Mbogo has served in many regimental capacities among them being; Admin Officer, Adjutant, Battery Captain, Battery Commander, Instructor Air Defence Wing, SOII Trg/Instructor Gunnery, Desk Offr Ops/Logs, SOII Pers/Logs, Battalion 2IC and became a Commanding Officer in 2006.
During his illustrious career in the Kenya Defence Forces, Lieutenant General Njiru has held a raft of Command, Staff and Instructional related appointments in various Kenya Defence Forces establishments including SO1 OPD and T; responsible for Operations, Plans, Doctrine and Training at the Kenya Defence Forces Headquarters.
In addition, he served as an aide-de-camp to the Commander In Chief, Commandant RTS, Commandant KMA ,Commandant JCSC and finally is now the Commander of the Kenyan Army.
The diverse local and overseas Courses that The Commander has attended have helped instil his roles in leadership, command and management.
These include but are not limited to, Junior Command Course, Grade 2 Staff Course, Peace Support Operations, African Disarmament Course, Joint Senior Command Course, International Battle Group Commanders Course, Next Generation of Military Leaders Course, Royal College of Defence Studies Course and a Public Finance Management Workshop.
The Lieutenant General is a graduate of the Royal College of Defence Studies Course in the UK and he has earned himself a Master of Arts in International Security and Strategy from Kings College in London. He has also served in the United Nations Mission in Sudan (UNMISS) where he was a Commanding Officer of the Kenyan Battalion and a Staff Officer in the United Nations Mission in Ethiopia and Eritrea (UNMEE).
In recognition for his distinguished and exemplary service, H.E the president Kenyatta has awarded Njiru ‘Chief of the Burning Spear(CBS)’, in recognition of the outstanding or distinguished services he has rendered to the nation in his various capacities and responsibilities.
Lieutenant General Mbogo Njiru is married and blessed with three children.
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