Until a formal appointment is made, according to officials, Lt Gen Charles Muriu Kahariri, the Vice Chief of Defence Forces, will assume the role of Chief of Defence Forces. 

This comes after CDF Gen. Francis Ogolla lost his life in a helicopter crash on Thursday, April 18, near the Tot division, Sindar area, Kaben location, Elgeyo Marakwet. 

Officials stated that Gen. Kahariri had taken over as the acting CDF immediately following the tragedy, and there was no void in the military.

According to the officials, this will continue until the President appoints a substantive General in compliance with the law. 


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 According to the officials, the Defence Council will convene to discuss and recommend to the President who should be the next head of the military.

"There is no vacuum. There is a VCDF who will act until a new and substantive CDF is appointed," said an official who was aware of the issue.

In his Kitale home, retired general Daudi Tonje also informed reporters that the VCDF ensures that the military is never void during such an event. 

 "Until the president appoints the substantive holder, the VCDF will assume control," he stated. The Kenya Defence Forces Act requires a CDF, his deputy, and service commanders to serve a single four-year term or retire upon reaching the mandatory retirement age.

However, the Act also states that in times of war or other emergencies, such as political unrest, the President may extend the CDF's tenure for a maximum of one year upon the National Defense Council's recommendation.


A general is expected to retire at age 62, a lieutenant general at age 61, a major general at age 59, and a brigadier at age 57. As per the law, the General is subject to a disclaimer, which states that the maximum retirement age may be changed periodically through legislation based on the Defense Council's recommendation. 

The role of the CDF is rotated among the three services by regulations established by retired Chief of General Staff Gen. Daudi Tonje and called the Tonje Rules. 

The Kenya Army, Kenya Air Force, and Kenya Navy are these.