President William Ruto on Thursday, May 2 promoted General Charles Muriu Kahariri to Chief of Defence Forces.
He took a position that was left vacant by the death of General Francis Ogolla in a helicopter crash.
Kahariri is a decorated naval officer with years of experience and knowledge.
Career
He enlisted in the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) on April 3 1987 and was commissioned as an Officer (Second Lieutenant) on April 15 1988.
Kahariri after commissioning, underwent further training in the United Kingdom before serving in various capacities on board ships within the Kenya Navy Fleet.
The General held a range of leadership, command and management positions.
These include roles such as Commanding Officer – at Kenya Navy Ships Mamba, Madaraka, and Umoja.
Kahariri also served as Commanding Officer at Kenya Navy Manda Base.
He served in key appointments like Squadron Commander, Commander of the Kenya Navy Fleet, and Deputy Commander of the Kenya Navy.
Charles served at the prestigious National Defence College as Senior Directing Staff (Navy), Deputy Commandant (Military) and Commandant.
Notable operational assignments include serving as the Maritime Component Commander for “Operation Linda Nchi”.
The General was the Force Commander for “Operation Sledge Hammer” during the capture of Kismaiyu.
He represented Kenya as the National Focal Person for the Contact Group on Piracy off the Coast of Somalia and the Djibouti Code of Conduct.
Kahariri served on the National Task Forces for the Delimitation of Kenya’s Exclusive Economic Zones and Delimitation of Kenya’s Extended Continental Shelf.
Education
Kahariri completed numerous local and international courses.
Among these courses are the International Midshipman Course (UK), and Long Navigation Course (India).
Other courses are The Management and Strategic Planning Course, Naval Command Course (USA), Joint Campaign Planning, and Flag Level Combined Maritime Component Command Course (Italy).
He trained for the Senior Strategic Leadership Course (UK) and Executive Development Course (University of N/Carolina, USA).
He holds a Diploma in Strategic and Security Studies from the United States Naval War Collage.
Awards
Kahariri was recently awarded the Chief of the Order of the Burning Spear (CBS)
Family
The General is married and he has three children and a grandson.
