Commander Kenya Army Lieutenant General Walter Koipaton salutes in honour of the fallen KDF heroes during his visit to Gilgil Garrison.

Commander Kenya Army Lieutenant General Walter Koipaton visited Kenya Army units based in Nakuru region on Friday 17 July 2020. He visited soldiers based at Lanet Barracks and Gilgil Garrison where he reaffirmed the critical role played by the soldiers in defending the Republic of Kenya.

Commander Kenya Army Lieutenant General Walter Koipaton having a word with one of the soldiers upon arrival at Lanet Barracks, Nakuru.

Commander Kenya Army Lieutenant General Raria Koipaton making his address during his visit to Lanet Barracks, Nakuru.

Commander Kenya Army Lieutenant General Raria Koipaton salute in honour of the KDF fallen heroes during his visit to 12 Engineers, Thika on 24^th September 2019.

Commander Kenya Army, Lt Gen W. R. Koipaton, on Tuesday 24^th September 2019 visited the Engineers Brigade in Thika as part of the routine visits to various military facilities.

The Engineers Brigade a vital entity within the Kenya Army as it is tasked with the critical role of enhancing mobility and survivability of troops deployed in hostile localities as well as routine maintenance of barrack facilities during peace time. This is not forgetting that they are infantry soldiers first.

Lt Gen Koipaton appreciated the secondary role of the Kenya Army Engineers that illuminates the KA and KDF as a whole in support of the National Goals. These include but not limited to mounting of the Military Bailey bridge in Narok County, borehole drilling in Vurungani Primary School in Kwale as well as in Kinango and enhancing mobility for supply of relief to Turkana, Mandera and Garissa counties.

During the Baraza, The Commander KA underscored the importance of additional training for the newly graduated infantry soldiers to include counter-IED and reverse osmosis water purification and unit maintenance. In his remarks he applauded the troops efforts citing, “I commend your innovation and efforts towards the support of the war in Somalia through the fortifications of our fighting positions, anti-VBIED weapon enhancement and construction of efficient firing range for all caliber weapons. However, with the ever evolving nature of the enemy we are facing, I charge you to work even harder to counter remote controlled and directional IEDs.” He added.

The Commander KA further urged the Engineers Brigade leadership to strive towards fostering a congenial relationship and association with other security agencies such as the National Police Service in the unified efforts of maintaining peace and security in our area of responsibility.

Also in attendance was the Engineers Brigade Commander, Brig Radina, Chief of Personnel Army Headquarters Brig Hassan, Commanding Officer 12 Engineers Battalion Lt Col Masai, Commanding Officer 10 Engineers Battalion Lt Col Muchira and Commandant School of Combat Engineers Lt Col Said, Officers and Service Members from the brigade.

Commander Kenya Army Lieutenant General Raria Koipaton addressing Soldiers in a Baraza at Thika Barracks .

WO1 Stephen Muli from Engineer’s Brigade interact with Commander Kenya Army Lieutenant General Raria Koipaton during his visit at 12 Engineers.

Major John Wainaina explains to Commander Kenya Army Lieutenant General Raria Koipaton how water purification machine works.

Commander Kenya Army Lieutenant General Raria Koipaton being taken through a house plane in a contraction site in Thika Barracks by Lieutenant Colonel Gabriel Kibuchi.

Commander Kenya Army Lieutenant General Raria Koipaton at his office with 2Lt Stephen Keiya.

Commander Kenya Army Lieutenant General Raria Koipaton on Tuesday 20^th August 2019, received 2Lt Stephen Githongo Keiya and 2Lt Sally Jeruto Chebii. The two Officers who have just completed their military training from the Royal Military Academy, Sandhurst met up with the Commander at the Kenya Army Headquarters.

The Officers performed exemplary well with 2Lt Keiya receiving the Hodson’s Merit Award for the best overall performance by an International Cadet, becoming the first recipient of the award from Kenya. He was honoured on Friday 9th August during the Sovereign’s Commissioning Parade at the Royal Military Academy, Sandhurst.

Commander Kenya Army congratulated the two and endeared them to continue to uphold their training values so as to become Officers of character, “the tenets of Leadership and Command should always be your guide as you take up your new roles as officers.”

The Kenyan Officers were among 33 international cadets out of 243 who underwent a rigorous training programme that involved Basic Military skills and Leadership at the Academy. 2Lts Keiya and Chebii are alumni of Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology with Bachelor of Science degrees in Disaster Management and International Diplomacy and Civil and Structural Engineering respectively.

Commander Kenya Army Lieutenant General Raria Koipaton at his office with 2Lt Sally Chebii.

2Lt Stephen Keiya during a field training exercise in Wales.

2Lt Sally Chebii during a field training exercise in Wales.

2Lt Stephen Keiya and 2Lt Sally Chebii during rehearsals for their commissioning parade at the Royal Military Academy, Sandhurst.

Deputy Army Commander Major General Thomas Chepkuto presents Kenya Army Band Commanding Officer Lieutenant Colonel Clement Nyakundi with the unit’s flag during the presentation of the Kenya Army Band flag and rebranded musical equipment at Lang’ata Barracks.

The Deputy Army Commander Major General (Maj Gen) Thomas Chepkuto presented the Kenya Army Band (KAB) and School of Music with their new flags and rebranded musical equipment in an event full of pomp and colour held at Lang’ata Barracks on 07^th August, 2019.

In his speech, Maj Gen Chepkuto hailed the KAB for their dedication noting their presence in all national and military events entertaining guests with well-crafted musical tunes.  He further commended them on their vital role not only in the military but in the society citing “by playing music you not only entertain but honour our country by promoting culture through music, you also contribute towards the memorable moments shared by the guests in these national events.

The KAB play a variety of music styles to inspire soldiers, foster the support of citizens and promote national interests at home and abroad. The KAB was started in 1930, and operated under the British Protectorate within the jurisdiction of Kings African Rifles (KAR). The band has over the years progressively evolved adapting to the current trends of music whilst maintaining the professional military standards required.

KAB was later upgraded to a full unit on 11^th August 2018 with Lt Col Clement Nyakundi as its first Commanding officer, Lt Col Nthiga Njagi as the the commandant of the Defence Forces School of Music and Lt Col Namboka Makadia as the Director of Music.

Kenya Army Roman Catholic Chaplain Lieutenant Colonel (Fr) George Maingi prays for the rebranded musical instruments during the presentation of the KAB flag and rebranded musical equipment at Lang’ata Barracks.

Deputy Army Commander Major General Thomas Chepkuto presents Kenya Army Band Commanding Officer Lieutenant Colonel Clement Nyakundi with the Defence Forces School of Music flag during the presentation of the Kenya Army Band flag and rebranded musical equipment at Lang’ata Barracks.

Deputy Army Commander Major General Thomas Chepukuto addresses the soldiers during the presentation of the flag and rebranded musical equipment to Kenya Army Band at Lang’ata Barracks.

The Kenya Army Band performing during the presentation of the flag and rebranded musical equipment at Lang’ata Barracks.

A display of the Kenya Army Band rebranded musical instruments.