The Commandant Kenya Military Academy (KMA) Major General Aphaxard Muthuri Kiugu has retired.
This is after he attained the mandatory retirement age in
the military.
A General is supposed to retire at 62, a Lieutenant-General
at 61, a Major-General at 59 and a Brigadier at 57 years.
However, the law puts a disclaimer on the General that: “The
maximum retirement age shall be amended from time to time through legislation
on the recommendation by the Defence Council.”
Maj Gen Kiugu was seen as one of those generals who would
have steered the service to the next generation.
KMA hosted a vibrant handover-takeover ceremony at its
headquarters in Lanet, Nakuru County on Wednesday as Maj Gen Kiugu, officially
passed the leadership mantle to Brigadier Peter Muthama Kimondiu, the Academy’s
Chief Instructor.
Maj Gen Kiugu expressed gratitude for his years of service
to the nation and encouraged the cadets to remain committed to their training,
emphasizing the importance of exemplary service and sacrifice in defending
Kenya.
“As I exit this service, I am satisfied with my
accomplishments, having upheld the Kaizen philosophy as my guide. I urge
everyone to embrace the spirit of continuous improvement,” he said.
Brig. Kimondiu praised Maj. Gen. Kiugu for his dedicated
military career, expressing best wishes for his future endeavours.
Deputy Vice-Chancellor of Research, Innovation, and Security Studies, Major General William Shume, also commended Maj. Gen. Kiugu for his invaluable leadership and the high quality of training are evident at the Academy.
He wished him well as he embarked on the next phase of his
life.
Maj Gen Kiugu was enlisted into the Kenya Defence Forces in
1988, was commissioned in 1989 and upon completion of the Officer Basic Course
at the then Armed Forces Training College (AFTC), now Kenya Military Academy
(KMA) he was posted to the School of Armour.
He was promoted to the rank of Major General in the year
2021 and appointed ACDF P & L and later deployed as the Force Commander
EACRF before his current appointment as the Commandant Kenya Military Academy.
His military experience has been enriched through various Command and Staff appointments at the Kenya Defence Forces both locally and overseas, and includes;
Chief of Logistic DHQ, Comd Armd Bde, Chief of Ops DHQ, Col
Budget, Commanding Officer 78 Tk Bn, SOII Ops and Trg, SOII Recs, Senior
Instructor Tac Wing Sch of Arm, SQN Comd 81 Tk Bn, Instructor College HQs AFTC,
SOII Pers Armoured Bde and Instructor Missile Technical Wing Sch of Arm.
He also served with the United Nations.
These deployments were in peacetime and active operations.
His strategic leadership and extensive experience greatly
impacted the ranks under his command, leaving behind a legacy of high military
standards, discipline, and professionalism, the military said.