By Prudence Minayo
Retired and active military personnel have been given what is normally supposed to be civilian jobs by president Uhuru Kenyatta. The president has always defended the appointment of military leaders to civilian institutions saying that they are disciplined, uphold integrity and are anti graft crusaders.
“If all of us had the discipline, Integrity of our defense forces, Kenya ingekuwa mbali. I see the military continue to play a role in the social-economic development of our country. Youth should be more like them with how they conduct their day to day activities,” said the President.
Below is a list of serving and ex-military officials currently serving in different boards and institutions in the country:
Col Alice Mate
In April 2021, Col Alice Mate was appointed as director of the Assets Recovery Agency (ARA) replacing Muthoni Kimani. ARA’s work is to reclaim assets or finances suspected to have been illegally acquired. Col Mate served as a navy officer working in the legal department of the military for more than a decade. She has prosecuted court martial sessions against military personnel and won most of them. Her colleagues described her as hardworking and dedicated.
General Mohamed Badi
Following the ouster of former Nairobi governor Mike Sonko, president Uhuru Kenyatta established Nairobi Metropolitan Services (NMS). This agency was tasked with overseeing functions transferred to the national government by Mike Sonko. General Mohamed Badi Ali was named the director of NMS.
The general has served in various capacities in the military and is a decorated Kenya Airforce general who was promoted from colonel to Brigadier in July 2014. He then became senior air force director at the National Defense College. He was then promoted to major general in 2019 and Lt. General in 2021.
Also Read: Major-General Mohammed Badi Ali Biography, Education and Career
Retired General Samson Mwathethe
In November 2020, General Mwathethe who served as chief of Defense forces until May 2020, was appointed as board chairman of KenGen replacing Joshua Choge. General Mwathethe has a decorated resume having held various command appointments. He has served as Vice Chief of the Defense Forces, Commander Kenya Navy, Deputy Commander Kenya Navy, Kenya Navy Logistics Commander, Base Commander Mtongwe and Fleet Commander among other appointments.
Colonel (Retired) Alfred Mutweta Mshimba
President Uhuru nominated him and Monica Wanjiru to fill in positions at the Ethics and Anti Corruption Commission which became vacant after the resignation of previous commissioners. Alfred Mshimba had worked as a Kenya Defense Forces colonel.
General Moses Oyugi
In November 2021, retired general Moses Oyugi was unveiled as part of the Football Kenya Federation (FKF) caretaker committee. Sports Cabinet Secretary Amina Mohamed disbanded the federation led by Nick Mwendwa who had been accused of embezzlement of funds.
Twalib Mbarak
Twalib Abdallah Mubarak was appointed the CEO of the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) and sworn in on 14th January 2019 at the Supreme Court.
Mbarak was born in Kilifi and has served in various military departments. Between 1985 and 1988, he served as platoon commander of Kenya Rifles. He then became security officer (military protective security) before taking on a one-year job on a UN military observer mission for Western Sahara Referendum.
Also Read: Salary Structure And Allowances Of KDF Soldiers Fighting Alshabab In Kenya And In Somalia
Mbarak then became personal assistant to the director of Military Intelligence before moving to the Horn of Africa military intelligence corps. He joined the National Security Intelligence Service (NIS) where he served in various roles and is credited for training some of the top spies in the country.
Kemsa
In November 2021, the Kenya Defense Forces and the National Youth Service took over operations at Kemsa (Kenya Medical Supplies Authority) on a caretaker basis.
