Kenya Air Force (KAF) Junior Officers who are attending an induction course had the privilege of visiting Maramba Tea Factory Limited in Limuru.
The visit was led by Colonel Wilson Yatich, the Commandant of the KAF Training Wing (KTW) School.
Upon arrival, the Officers were received by the factory manager, Isaac Rono, who provided an overview of the factory’s history and operations.
They were given a detailed tour of the tea processing operations, including the stages, from the weighbridge, withering, fermentation, drying, sorting, tasting, sifting, CTC (Cutting, Tearing, and Curling) bins, and finally, packaging.
During the visit, Major General (Rtd) Dedan Gichuru, the Director of the factory, addressed the Officers, expressing his delight at meeting the new Officers.
He shared insights from his long and distinguished career, which began in 1963 when he first took to the skies as an Air Force pilot.
Maj Gen (Rtd) Gichuru spoke of his commissioning and experiences in Kenya, Israel, the ed Kingdom and other parts of the world, reflecting on the valuable life lessons he gained throughout his service.
He recounted memorable incidents that shaped his career and emphasized the benefits of patience, self-respect, and resilience.
“If you cannot change something, let it go and stay focused. Know who you are, believe in yourself, be daring, and never let external influences define you,” he advised.
In his remarks, Colonel Yatich expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to visit the factory.
He stressed on importance of the visit to the Officers since it equips them with knowledge and skills to invest carefully while in service in preparation for life after retirement.
“We are honoured to be here. Thank you for the important lessons you’ve shared with us. It’s always a pleasure to visit Maramba Tea Factory, and we appreciate the guidance and mentorship on life in general and also life after retirement. Your wisdom is invaluable,” said Col Yatich.
First Indigenous Air Force Commander
Maj Gen (Rtd) Gichuru became the 1st indigenous Air Force Commander in 1973, at the age of 30, after promotion to the rank of Colonel.
In 1980, he became the 1st Air Force Officer to hold the rank of Major General.
On 14 February 1986, he, once again, took command of the Kenya Air Force from Gen Mohamoud Mohammed after the latter was appointed Chief of the General Staff.
He played an important role in modernising and professionalising the Kenya Air Force, contributing significantly to its growth and operational effectiveness during his tenure.
He is remembered for his dedication and service to the nation.
