Major General Aphaxard Muthuri Kiugu, the Commandant of the Kenya Military Academy (KMA), has officially retired after reaching the military’s mandatory retirement age. In the Kenyan military, Generals must retire at 62, Lieutenant-Generals at 61, Major-Generals at 59, and Brigadiers at 57, although the law allows for changes to these ages based on recommendations from the Defence Council.
Maj Gen Kiugu was regarded as a key leader who could guide the service into the next generation. A lively handover ceremony took place at KMA’s headquarters in Lanet, Nakuru County, on Wednesday, during which Maj Gen Kiugu passed leadership to Brigadier Peter Muthama Kimondiu, the Academy's Chief Instructor.
In his farewell remarks, Maj Gen Kiugu expressed gratitude for his years of service and urged the cadets to stay committed to their training, highlighting the importance of exemplary service and sacrifice in defending Kenya. “As I leave this position, I am content with my achievements, having adhered to the Kaizen philosophy. I encourage everyone to embrace the spirit of continuous improvement,” he stated.
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Brig. Kimondiu praised Maj. Gen. Kiugu for his dedicated military career and wished him well in his future endeavors. Major General William Shume, the Deputy Vice-Chancellor of Research, Innovation, and Security Studies, also commended Maj. Gen. Kiugu for his invaluable leadership and the high-quality training evident at the Academy.
Maj Gen Kiugu joined the Kenya Defence Forces in 1988 and was commissioned in 1989. After completing the Officer Basic Course at the then Armed Forces Training College (now KMA), he was assigned to the School of Armour. He was promoted to Major General in 2021 and served as ACDF P & L before being deployed as the Force Commander for EACRF and later appointed as the Commandant of KMA.
His military career has been marked by various Command and Staff roles both domestically and internationally, including positions such as Chief of Logistics DHQ, Commander of the Armoured Brigade, Chief of Operations DHQ, and Commanding Officer of the 78 Tank Battalion. He has also served with the United Nations during both peacetime and active operations.
His strategic leadership and extensive experience significantly influenced the ranks under his command, leaving behind a legacy of high military standards, discipline, and professionalism, as noted by the military.
