Commander, Kenya Navy
| Commander, Kenya Navy of Kenya Navy | |
|---|---|
Incumbent since May 2, 2024Major General Paul Owuor Otieno | |
| Kenya Defence Forces | |
| Reports to | Chief of Defence Forces |
| Appointer | President of Kenya |
| Term length | At the President’s pleasure |
| Formation | December 10, 1964 |
| First holder | Cdr E. M. C. Walker, RN |
| Website | Official website |
The Commander, Kenya Navy (Swahili: Kamanda, Jeshi la Wanamaji) is the professional head and highest-ranking officer of the Kenya Navy. The Commander exercises full command over the service, oversees operations, administration, training and modernization, and reports to the Chief of Defence Forces under the authority of the President of Kenya, who is the Commander-in-Chief.[1] Established in 1964, the post was initially held by officers of the Royal Navy before transition to Kenyan command in 1972, when Lt Col J. C. J. Kimaro became the first Kenyan to head the service.[2][3]
Responsibilities
- Operational command and deployment of naval forces and assets.
- Administration, discipline, training, and personnel welfare across the service.
- Representing the Navy in joint/combined activities and state ceremonies, including the biannual Kenya Navy Divisions parade.[4]
History
| No. | Name | Term of office | Ref. | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Official Portrait | Took office | Left office | Time in office | |||
| 1 | Commander
E. M. C. Walker |
10 Dec 1964 | 31 Jul 1967 | 2 years, 233 days | ||
| 2 | Commander
Anthony Allen Pearse |
1 Aug 1967 | 1 Oct 1969 | 2 years, 61 days | ||
| 3 | Commander
W. A. E. Hall |
2 Oct 1969 | 31 Oct 1972 | 3 years, 29 days | ||
| 4 | Lieutenant colonel
James Collins J. Kimaro |
1 Nov 1972 | 11 Feb 1978 | 5 years, 102 days | ||
| 5 | Major General | 12 Feb 1978 | 1 Apr 1988 | 10 years, 49 days | ||
| 6 | Major General
Joseph Raymond Edward Kibwana |
2 Apr 1988 | 1 May 1998 | 10 years, 29 days | ||
| 7 | Major General
Aboud Abdalla Rafrouf |
2 May 1998 | 30 Nov 2001 | 3 years, 212 days | ||
| 8 | Major General
Pastor Omudho Awitta, MGH, EBS |
1 Dec 2001 | 26 Jul 2006 | 4 years, 237 days | ||
| 9 | Major General
Samson Jefwa Mwathethe, EGH, MBS, DCO, 'ndc' (K) 'psc' (UK) |
27 Jul 2006 | 12 Jul 2011 | 4 years, 350 days | ||
| 10 | Major General
Ngewa Mukala, MGH, EBS, DCO 'ndc' (K), 'psc'(K) |
13 Jul 2011 | 10 Aug 2015 | 4 years, 28 days | ||
| 11 | Major General
Levi Franklin Mghalu, MGH, MBS, 'ndc' (K), 'psn' (RSA) |
11 Aug 2015 | 11 May 2020 | 4 years, 268 days | ||
| 12 | Major General
Jimson Longiro Mutai, MGH, MBS 'ndc'(K) 'psc'(K) |
12 May 2020 | 8 March
2024 |
5 years, 97 days | ||
| 13 | Major general
Thomas Njoroge Nganga EBS HSC ‘ndu’ ‘psc'(USA) [5] |
8 March
2024 |
02 May 2024 | 56 days | ||
| 14 | Major General
Paul Owuor Otieno EBS ‘ndc’(K) ‘psc'(K) |
2 May 2024 | incumbent | |||
See also
References
- ^ "Commanders of the Kenya Navy". Ministry of Defence (Kenya). Retrieved 11 August 2025.
- ^ "Kenya Navy". Wikipedia. Retrieved 11 August 2025.
- ^ "J. C. J. Kimaro". Wikipedia. Retrieved 11 August 2025.
- ^ "Kenya Navy reaffirms unity and readiness during August 2025 Divisions". Ministry of Defence (Kenya). 8 August 2025. Retrieved 11 August 2025.
- ^ Swearing-in of the Kenya Defence Forces Vice Chief and Service Commanders, State House, Nairobi., retrieved 9 March 2024