The Kenya Force protects our skies with unparalled precision and courage, and has remained a crucial pillar of the country’s national guard. Formed in 1964, the Air Force’s legacy was built on the pioneering efforts of five men, who became the first military pilots in Kenya.
The group consisted of Dedan Gichuru, David Kanagi, James Mukirae, Fredrick Omondi, and Hannington Apudo, who were military cadets handpicked by the Minister Njoroge Mungai for the first-ever pilot course training at the Flying Training School.
In January 1962, the five were sent to the Haifa Flying School in Israel to join a cohort of 20 students from Kenya, Uganda, Ethiopia, and Brazil. This was through concerted efforts by the then Minister of Labor Tom Mboya through Israeli assistance. The training was backed by President Jomo Kenyatta, and within a year, the group returned to the country to hone their skills at the local Flying Training School.
In February 1964, Cadet Mukirae was the first to fly locally in February 1964, and a month later, Kanagi and Omondi also completed their first solo flights. On February 22, 1965, a graduation ceremony was held to celebrate their achievements, and 20-year-old Omondi who had recorded the most outstanding performance was awarded the sword of honour by President Jomo Kenyatta, becoming the first Air Force personnel to receive the decoration in independent Kenya.
The cadets received their Air Force service numbers after the ceremony and a few months later, they were back in training, this time at the prestigious RAF Feltwell in the United Kingdom. Shortly after, Apudo became the first to be dismissed for defying superiors while Mukirae was discharged due to a medical condition.
By 1965, the Kenya Air Force was operational, with Gichuru, Kanagi, and Omondi as the remaining jet fighter pilots. Gichuru rose swiftly through the ranks, becoming the first Kenyan Air Force Commander in 1973 at just 30 years old while Omondi’s influence in the military began to grow.
Threafter, Omondi’s stint was marked by controversy as he began using his position of influence to push for change within the Air Force. In the 1960s, the force was dominated by the British in senior ranks, which he began campaigning against, callling for their replacement.
During this time, Gichuru’s career thrived and was promoted to Lt Colonel, while Omondi stagnated only receiving one promotion throughout his career. Historians opine that this was as a result of the strained relations between President Kenyatta and Jaramogi Oginga Odinga fueling ethnic favouritism.
Captain Omondi instead motivated a large number of young people from his Luo community, particularly from Nyakach, to pursue careers in the military, in particular the Air Force. Notably, among them was Hezekiah Ochuka who led the August 1982 coup.
In 1971, Omondi led an unsuccessful coup aiming to overthrow the Jomo Kenyatta-led government. This was due to its failure to address issues such as the slow Africanization in military and rampant tribalism. He was implicated and served ten years in prison after pleading guilty.
The legacy of Kenya’s first five Air Force officers is complex, but tells a tale of ambition, excellence, and the strides made towards equality. Navigating post-independence military service, their contributions laid the foundation for a resilient Air Force that continues to safeguard Kenya’s skies.
